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As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2022

Registration No. 333-264941

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Amendment No. 2
to

Form S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Vickers Vantage Corp. I

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

	Cayman Islands			6770			N/A
	(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1 Harbourfront Avenue, #16-06
Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632
Singapore
(646) 974-8301

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Jeffrey Chi
Chief Executive Officer
1 Harbourfront Avenue, #16-06
Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632
Singapore
(646) 974-8301

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154

Jeffrey T. Hartlin, Esq.
Elizabeth A. Razzano, Esq.
Paul Hastings LLP
1117 S. California Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement and the satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions under the Merger Agreement described herein.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box: ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

	Large accelerated filer ☐			Accelerated filer ☐
	Non-accelerated filer ☒			Smaller reporting company ☒
				Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

	Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)			☐
	Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)			☐

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

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The information in this preliminary proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 20, 2022

PROXY STATEMENT FOR
EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF
VICKERS VANTAGE CORP. I
(A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY)

PROSPECTUS FOR
163,176,395 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND 13,740,000 WARRANTS OF VICKERS VANTAGE CORP. I (AFTER
ITS DOMESTICATION AS A CORPORATION INCORPORATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE),
WHICH WILL BE RENAMED “SCILEX HOLDING COMPANY” IN CONNECTION WITH THE
BUSINESS COMBINATION DESCRIBED HEREIN

Dear Shareholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Vickers Vantage Corp. I (“Vickers,” “we,” “us” or “our”), which will be held at , Eastern time, on , 2022 at the offices of at , and virtually via live webcast at , or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place to which the meeting may be adjourned. Although the Meeting will also be held virtually over the Internet, for the purposes of Cayman Islands law and the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of Vickers, the physical location of the Meeting will remain at the location specified above.

Vickers is a Cayman Islands exempted company established for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business transaction with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as a “target business.” Holders of ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vickers (“Vickers Ordinary Shares”), will be asked to approve and adopt, among other things, the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 17, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Vickers, Vantage Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Vickers (the “Merger Sub”), and Scilex Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“Scilex”) and a majority-owned subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (“Sorrento”), and the other related proposals.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, (i) prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the proxy statement/prospectus), Vickers will change its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”) and (ii) at the Effective Time, and following the Domestication, Merger Sub will merge with and into Scilex (the “Business Combination”), with Scilex continuing as the surviving entity and wholly-owned subsidiary of Vickers. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, Vickers will be renamed as “Scilex Holding Company” and Scilex will be renamed as Scilex, Inc. In this document, we use the term “New Scilex” to refer to Vickers after completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, all outstanding shares of Scilex Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Business Combination (other than shares held by Scilex or its subsidiaries or shares the holders of which exercise dissenters rights of appraisal) will be cancelled in exchange for the right to receive a number of newly issued shares of common stock of Vickers (following the Domestication), par value $0.0001 per share (“New Scilex Common Stock”), equal to the Exchange Ratio (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and all outstanding options to purchase Scilex stock will be exchanged for a number of options exercisable for newly issued shares of New Scilex Common Stock based upon the Exchange Ratio. The total consideration to be received by securityholders of Scilex at the Closing will be newly issued shares of New Scilex Common Stock with an aggregate value equal to $1.5 billion, subject to adjustments for certain debt obligations of Scilex (the “Merger Consideration”).

It is anticipated that upon completion of the Business Combination, if none of the 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed, Vickers’s public shareholders would retain an ownership interest of approximately 7.0% in New Scilex, the Sponsors, officers, directors and other holders of founder shares will retain an ownership interest of approximately 2.5% of New Scilex and the Scilex stockholders will own approximately 90.5% of New Scilex. If all of the 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed, Vickers’s public shareholders would not own any of New Scilex, the Sponsors, officers, directors and other holders of founder shares will retain an ownership interest of approximately 2.7% and the Scilex stockholders will own approximately 97.3% of New Scilex. The ownership percentage with respect to New Scilex does not take into account (i) the issuance of any additional shares upon the closing of the Business Combination under the Equity Incentive Plan or the ESPP, or (ii) the reduction in the aggregate merger consideration due to certain specified indebtedness at the Closing. If the actual facts are different from these assumptions (which they are likely to be), the percentage ownership retained by the Vickers shareholders will be different. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

After the completion of the Business Combination, Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (Scilex’s majority stockholder) will continue to control a majority of the voting power for the election of directors. Depending on the number of Vickers Ordinary Shares that are redeemed in connection with the Business Combination, we anticipate that Sorrento will own approximately 90.4% to 97.2% of the outstanding common stock of New Scilex. As a result, New Scilex will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance standards. While New Scilex does not presently intend to rely on these exemptions, New Scilex may opt to utilize these exemptions in the future as long as it remains a controlled company.

Vickers’s units, ordinary shares and public warrants are publicly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “VCKAU”, “VCKA” and “VCKAW”, respectively. Vickers intends to list the New Scilex Common Stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SCLX” and “SCLXW,” respectively, upon the completion of the Business Combination. New Scilex will not have units traded following the completion of the Business Combination.

On , 2022, the record date for the Meeting of shareholders, the last sale price of Vickers Ordinary Shares was $ .

Each shareholder’s vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to participate at the Meeting, please submit your proxy card without delay. Proxy cards must be submitted no later than the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting or adjourned or postponed Meeting. Shareholders may revoke proxies at any time before they are voted at the Meeting. Voting by proxy will not prevent a shareholder from voting virtually at the Meeting if such shareholder subsequently chooses to participate in the Meeting.

We encourage you to read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully. In particular, you should review the matters discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 36.

The Vickers Board recommends that Vickers’s shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of each of the proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in the Business Combination or otherwise, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this proxy statement/prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated , 2022, and is first being mailed to shareholders of Vickers on or about , 2022.

/s/ Jeffrey Chi

Jeffrey Chi
Chief Executive Officer
Vickers Vantage Corp. I
, 2022

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VICKERS VANTAGE CORP. I

1 Harbourfront Avenue, #16-06
Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632
Singapore
Telephone: (646) 974-8301

NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF
VICKERS VANTAGE CORP. I SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on , 2022

To Vickers Vantage Corp. I Shareholders:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Vickers Vantage Corp. I (“Vickers,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), will be held at , Eastern time, on , 2022, at the offices of at , and virtually via live webcast at . You are cordially invited to attend the Meeting for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing with or without amendments, the following resolutions:

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Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT the transactions contemplated under the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 17, 2022 (as may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Vickers, Vantage Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Vickers (“Merger Sub”), and Scilex Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“Scilex”) and majority-owned subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (“Sorrento”), with Scilex surviving the merger (the “Business Combination”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, be and are hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Business Combination Proposal”). The Business Combination Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals (as defined below).”

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Proposal 2 — The Domestication Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT the change of the domicile of Vickers pursuant to a transfer by way of continuation of an exempted company out of the Cayman Islands and a domestication into the State of Delaware as a corporation, and the de-registration of Vickers in the Cayman Islands (the “Domestication”) and the approval of the related interim certificate of incorporation and bylaws under Delaware law of Vickers, in each case, prior to the Effective Time of the Business Combination, be and are hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Domestication Proposal”). The Domestication Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

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Proposal 3 — The Charter Approval Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT, in connection with the Business Combination, the replacement of the Current Charter with the proposed amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Vickers, in the form attached this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B, to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, be and is hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Charter Approval Proposal”). The Charter Approval Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

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Proposal 4 — The Bylaws Approval Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT, in connection with the Business Combination, the amended and restated bylaws, in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C, to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, be and are hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Bylaws Approval Proposal”). The Bylaws Approval Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

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Proposal 5 — The Advisory Governance Proposals — “RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT ON A NON-BINDING ADVISORY BASIS, certain governance provisions contained in the Proposed Charter, being presented in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as seven separate sub-proposals, be and are hereby

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approved and adopted (collectively, the “Advisory Governance Proposals”), none of which are conditioned on any Condition Precedent Proposals:

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Advisory Proposal A — to increase the total number of authorized shares of all classes of capital stock to 750,000,000 shares, consisting of 740,000,000 authorized shares of common stock and 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock;

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Advisory Proposal B — to provide that subject to the rights of any holders of preferred stock to elect directors, the number of directors that shall constitute the New Scilex Board shall be as determined from time to time exclusively by the New Scilex Board, except that until such time as the Sorrento Trigger Event occurs, the stockholders of New Scilex shall be permitted to fix the number of directors;

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Advisory Proposal C — to require the removal of any director be only for cause and by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event (and prior to such event, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote generally in the election of such directors);

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Advisory Proposal D — to provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, the alteration, amendment or repeal of certain provisions of the Proposed Charter will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class;

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Advisory Proposal E — to provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, the alteration, amendment or repeal of the Proposed Bylaws will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class;

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Advisory Proposal F — to provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, stockholders will not be permitted to act by written consent in lieu of holding a meeting of stockholders; and

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Advisory Proposal G — to change the post-Business Combination corporate name from “Vickers Vantage Corp. I” to “Scilex Holding Company,” to make the post-Business Combination company’s corporate existence perpetual and to eliminate provisions specific to its status as a blank check company.”

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Proposal 6 — The Director Election Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT, effective as of the consummation of the Business Combination, Jaisim Shah, Henry Ji, Ph.D., Dorman Followwill, Laura J. Hamill, Tien-Li Lee, M.D., David Lemus, and Tommy Thompson, be and are hereby elected as directors and serve on the New Scilex Board until the expiration of their respective terms and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified (such proposal, the “Director Election Proposal”). The Director Election Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

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Proposal 7 — The Stock Plan Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT the Scilex Holding Company 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D, to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, be and is hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Stock Plan Proposal”). The Stock Plan Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

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Proposal 8 — The ESPP Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT the Scilex Holding Company 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E, to be effective upon consummation of the Business Combination, be and is hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “ESPP Proposal”). The ESPP Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

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Proposal 9 — The Nasdaq Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT, for purposes of complying with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a) and (b), the issuance of more than

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20% of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares and the resulting change in control in connection with the Business Combination, be and are hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Nasdaq Proposal”). The Nasdaq Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

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Proposal 10 — The Adjournment Proposal — “RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT the adjournment of the Meeting by the chairman thereof to a later date, if necessary, under certain circumstances, including for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies in favor of the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Advisory Governance Proposals, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Nasdaq Proposal (together the “Condition Precedent Proposals”), in the event Vickers does not receive the requisite shareholder vote to approve the foregoing proposals, be and is hereby approved (such proposal, the “Adjournment Proposal”). The Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned on the approval of any of the Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Under the Merger Agreement, the approval of each of the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, and the ESPP Proposal is a condition to the consummation of the Business Combination. The approval of each Condition Precedent Proposal is conditioned on the approval of all of the other Condition Precedent Proposals. It is important for you to note that if our shareholders do not approve of the Condition Precedent Proposals, the Business Combination may not be consummated. If Vickers does not consummate the Business Combination and fails to complete an initial business combination by January 11, 2023, Vickers will be required to dissolve and liquidate.

Approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Advisory Governance Proposals, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal will each require an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote there on and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Approval of the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal and the Bylaws Approval Proposal will each require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

As of , 2022, there were 13,176,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Only Vickers’s shareholders who hold Vickers Ordinary Shares of record as of the close of business on , 2022 are entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting. This proxy statement/prospectus is first being mailed to Vickers’s shareholders on or about , 2022.

Investing in Vickers’s securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 36 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in Vickers’s securities.

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YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY.

Whether or not you plan to participate at the Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card without delay, or submit your proxy through the internet or vote by telephone as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the Meeting. Proxy cards must be received no later than the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting or adjourned or postponed meeting. Telephone and Internet voting facilities for Vickers’s shareholders of record will be available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on , 2022. After that, telephone and Internet voting will be closed and if you want to vote your Vickers Ordinary Shares, you will either need to ensure that your proxy card is received no later than the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting or attend the virtual Meeting to vote your shares online. Voting by proxy will not prevent you from voting your Vickers Ordinary Shares online if you subsequently choose to participate at the Meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other agent and you wish to vote at the Meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that broker, bank or other agent. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date may vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. If you fail to return your proxy card or fail to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote, and do not participate at the Meeting, your shares will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at, and the number of votes voted at, the Meeting.

You may revoke a proxy at any time before it is voted at the Meeting by executing and returning a proxy card dated later than the previous one, by participating at the Meeting and casting your vote by hand or by ballot (as applicable) or by submitting a written revocation to Morrow Sodali LLC, 333 Ludlow Street, Stamford, CT 06902, toll free: (800) 662-5200, collect: (203) 658-9400, email: VCKA.info@investor.morrowsodali.com, that is received by the proxy solicitor before we take the vote at the Meeting. If you hold your shares through a bank or brokerage firm, you should follow the instructions of your bank or brokerage firm regarding revocation of proxies.

The Vickers Board recommends that Vickers’s shareholders vote “FOR” approval of each of the Proposals. When you consider the recommendation of the Vickers Board regarding these Proposals, you should keep in mind that Vickers’s directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that may conflict with or differ from your interests as a shareholder. See the section titled “Proposals to be Considered by Vickers’s Shareholders: The Business Combination — Interests of Certain Persons.”

On behalf of the Vickers Board, I thank you for your support and we look forward to the successful consummation of the Business Combination.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

/s/ Jeffrey Chi

Jeffrey Chi
Chief Executive Officer
Vickers Vantage Corp. I
, 2022

IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD SIGNED BUT WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE PROPOSALS.

TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS, YOU MUST (I) IF YOU: (A) HOLD PUBLIC VICKERS ORDINARY SHARES, OR (B) HOLD PUBLIC VICKERS ORDINARY SHARES THROUGH PUBLIC UNITS AND YOU ELECT TO SEPARATE YOUR PUBLIC UNITS INTO THE UNDERLYING PUBLIC VICKERS ORDINARY SHARES PRIOR TO EXERCISING YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE PUBLIC VICKERS ORDINARY SHARES AND (II) PRIOR TO , EASTERN TIME, ON , 2022, (A) SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST TO CONTINENTAL THAT VICKERS REDEEM YOUR PUBLIC VICKERS ORDINARY SHARES FOR CASH AND (B) DELIVER YOUR PUBLIC VICKERS ORDINARY SHARES TO CONTINENTAL, PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY USING THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY’S DWAC

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ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by Vickers, constitutes a prospectus of Vickers under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares to be issued to Scilex’s stockholders under the Merger Agreement. This document also constitutes a proxy statement of Vickers under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus in deciding how to vote on the Business Combination. Neither Vickers nor Scilex has authorized anyone to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. Do not rely upon any information or representations made outside of this proxy statement/prospectus. The information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus may change after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. Do not assume after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is still correct.

Information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding Vickers and its business, operations, management and other matters has been provided by Vickers and information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding Scilex and its business, operations, management and other matters has been provided by Scilex.

This proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy or consent, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

Certain information contained in this document relates to or is based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and Vickers’s and Scilex’s own internal estimates and research. While we believe these third-party sources to be reliable as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, we have not independently verified the market and industry data contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or the underlying assumptions relied on therein. Finally, while we believe our own internal research is reliable, such research has not been verified by any independent source. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are liable for the information provided in this proxy statement/prospectus.

TRADEMARKS

This document contains references to trademarks, trade names and service marks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that the applicable licensor will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

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FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

Unless otherwise stated in this proxy statement, the terms, “we,” “us,” “our” or “Vickers” refer to Vickers Vantage Corp. I, a Cayman Islands exempted company, the term “New Vickers” refers to Vickers Vantage Corp. I following the Domestication and the terms “New Scilex,” “combined company” and “post-Business Combination company” refer to Scilex Holding Company and its subsidiaries following the consummation of the Business Combination.

Further, in this document:

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“Business Combination” means the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

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“Closing” means the closing of the Business Combination.

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“Closing Date” means date of the Closing.

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“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

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“Condition Precedent Proposals” means the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Nasdaq Proposal.

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“Continental” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Vickers’s transfer agent.

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“Current Charter” means Vickers’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, as in effect as of the date hereof.

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“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended.

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“Domestication” means the change of the domicile of Vickers pursuant to a transfer by way of continuation of an exempted company out of the Cayman Islands and a domestication into the State of Delaware as a corporation, and the de-registration of Vickers in the Cayman Islands.

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“Effective Time” means the time at which the Business Combination becomes effective.

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“Equity Incentive Plan” means the Scilex Holding Company 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.

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“ESPP” means the Scilex Holding Company 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

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“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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“founder shares” means the 3,450,000 outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares held by the Sponsors and the following directors of Vickers: Pei Wei Woo, Suneel Kaji and Steve Myint.

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“GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

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“HSR Act” means Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

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“Initial Shareholders” means the Sponsors and the holders of founder shares.

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“IPO” refers to the initial public offering of 13,800,000 Units of Vickers consummated on January 11, 2021.

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“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

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“Maxim” means Maxim Group LLC, the representative of the underwriters in the IPO.

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“Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 17, 2022, by and among Vickers, Merger Sub and Scilex, as may be amended or restated from time to time.

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“Merger Sub” means Vantage Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Vickers.

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“Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

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“Nasdaq Listing Rules” means the rules and listing standards of Nasdaq.

•

“New Scilex Board” means the board of directors of New Scilex.

•

“New Scilex Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of (i) Vickers immediately after the Domestication and prior to the filing of the Proposed Charter with the Secretary

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of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the Closing, and (ii) New Scilex, following the effectiveness of the Proposed Charter upon the filing of same with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the Closing.

•

“New Scilex Warrants” means the redeemable warrants that entitle the holder thereof to purchase one share of, (i) Vickers immediately after the Domestication and prior to the filing of the Proposed Charter with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the Closing, and (ii) New Scilex, following the effectiveness of the Proposed Charter upon the filing of same with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the Closing.

•

“Private Placement Warrants” means the 6,840,000 warrants sold in a private placement to Vickers Venture Fund VI Pte Ltd and Vickers Venture Fund VI (Plan) Pte Ltd consummated on January 11, 2021.

•

“Proposed Bylaws” means the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Scilex Holding Company, a copy of which is attached as Annex C.

•

“Proposed Charter” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Scilex Holding Company, a copy of which is attached as Annex B.

•

“public shareholders” means the holders of the public shares.

•

“public shares” means the Vickers Ordinary Shares which were sold as part of the IPO, whether they were purchased in the IPO or in the aftermarket, including any of our Initial Shareholders to the extent that they purchase such public shares (except that our Initial Shareholders will not have conversion or tender rights with respect to any public shares they own).

•

“Public Warrants” or“Warrants” means the redeemable warrants that were included in the Units that entitle the holder of each whole warrant to purchase one Vickers Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share.

•

“Scilex” means Scilex Holding Company, a Delaware corporation.

•

“Scilex Board” means the board of directors of Scilex.

•

“Scilex Common Stock” means the common stock of Scilex, par value $0.0001 per share, prior to the Closing.

•

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

•

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

•

“Sorrento” means Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.

•

“Sorrento Group” means Sorrento together with its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors and assigns (other than New Scilex and its subsidiaries).

•

“Sorrento Trigger Event” means the time that the Sorrento Group first ceases to beneficially own more than 50% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

•

“Sponsors” means Vickers Venture Fund VI Pte Ltd and Vickers Venture Fund VI (Plan) Pte Ltd.

•

“Trust Account” means the Trust Account of Vickers that holds the proceeds from Vickers’s IPO and the private placement of the Private Placement Warrants.

•

“Units” means the units of Vickers, each consisting of one Vickers Ordinary Share and one-half of one redeemable warrant upon the consummation of an initial business combination.

•

“Vickers Board” means the board of directors of Vickers.

•

“Vickers Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vickers prior to the Domestication.

•

“Working Capital Warrants” shall mean any warrants issued in payment for Working Capital Loans from the Sponsors to Vickers, which will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued simultaneously with the IPO.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement/prospectus contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the parties’ ability to close the Business Combination, the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, and the financial condition, results of operations, earnings outlook and prospects of Vickers and/or Scilex and may include statements for the period following the consummation of the Business Combination. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this proxy statement/prospectus including, without limitation, in the sections titled “Business of Scilex” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Scilex.” In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and other similar words and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and Vickers’s and Scilex’s managements’ current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Vickers, Scilex and their respective directors, officers and affiliates. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Vickers’s views as of any subsequent date. Vickers does not undertake any obligation to update, add or to otherwise correct any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, inaccuracies that become apparent after the date hereof or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements in deciding how your vote should be cast or in voting your Vickers Ordinary Shares on the Proposals. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described in “Risk Factors,” those discussed and identified in public filings made with the SEC by Vickers and the following:

•

our ability to complete the Business Combination with Scilex or, if we do not consummate such Business Combination, any other initial business combination;

•

satisfaction or waiver (if applicable) of the conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination, including the approval of the Merger Agreement by the shareholders of Vickers and the satisfaction of the minimum cash requirements under the Merger Agreement following any redemptions by Vickers’s public shareholders;

•

the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement;

•

the projected financial information, including the Scilex’s forecasts (included in the section titled “The Business Combination Proposal — Certain Scilex Projected Financial Information”), anticipated growth rate, and market opportunity of New Scilex;

•

the ability to obtain and/or maintain the listing of New Scilex Common Stock on Nasdaq following the Business Combination;

•

New Scilex’s public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;

•

New Scilex’s ability to raise financing in the future;

•

the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination;

•

costs related to the Business Combination;

•

the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Vickers or Scilex related to the Business Combination;

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•

the attraction and retention of qualified directors, officers, employees and key personnel of Vickers and Scilex prior to the Business Combination, and New Scilex following the Business Combination;

•

the ability of Scilex to compete effectively in a highly competitive market;

•

the competition from larger pharmaceutical companies that have greater resources, technology, relationships and/or expertise;

•

the ability to protect and enhance Scilex’s corporate reputation and brand;

•

the impact from future regulatory, judicial, and legislative changes in Scilex’s industry;

•

Scilex’s and New Scilex’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of any of its product candidates;

•

Scilex’s and New Scilex’s ability to research, discover and develop additional product candidates;

•

Scilex’s and New Scilex’s ability to grow and manage growth profitably;

•

Scilex’s and New Scilex’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection and not infringe on the rights of others;

•

Scilex’s ability to execute its business plans and strategy;

•

Vickers’s officers and directors allocating their time to other business and potentially having conflicts of interest with Vickers’s business or in approving the Business Combination;

•

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other similar disruptions in the future;

•

those factors set forth in documents of Vickers filed, or to be filed, with SEC; and

•

other factors detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions made by the management of Vickers and Scilex prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Business Combination or other matters addressed in this proxy statement/prospectus and attributable to Vickers, Scilex or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, Vickers and Scilex undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE MEETING

The following are answers to some questions that you, as a shareholder of Vickers, may have regarding the Business Combination and the Meeting. We urge you to read carefully the remainder of this proxy statement/prospectus because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the Proposals and the other matters being considered at the Meeting. Additional important information is also contained in the annexes to and the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

What will happen in the Business Combination?

Vickers, Merger Sub, and Scilex have agreed to the Business Combination under the terms of the Merger Agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, and is incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus by reference. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, prior to the Effective Time of the Business Combination, Vickers will change its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. See “Proposal 2 — The Domestication Proposal” for further information on the Domestication. In addition, following the Domestication and at the Effective Time of the Business Combination, Merger Sub will merge with and into Scilex, with Scilex continuing as the surviving entity and wholly-owned subsidiary of Vickers.

In connection with the Business Combination, the cash held in the Trust Account after giving effect to any redemption of shares by Vickers’s public shareholders will be used to pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the Business Combination, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus?

Vickers’s shareholders are being asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement, and the other Proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus. You are receiving this proxy statement/prospectus because you were a shareholder of record of Vickers Ordinary Shares at the close of business on , 2022, the “Record Date” for the Meeting, and are therefore entitled to vote at the Meeting. This proxy statement/prospectus summarizes the information that you need to know in order to cast your vote. Vickers urges its shareholders to read the Merger Agreement in its entirety, which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER CAREFULLY REVIEWING THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ITS ANNEXES AND CAREFULLY CONSIDERING EACH OF THE PROPOSALS BEING PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.

What is the consideration being paid to Scilex securityholders?

If the Business Combination is completed: (i) each outstanding share of Scilex Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares held by Scilex or its subsidiaries or shares the holders of which exercise dissenters rights of appraisal) will be cancelled in exchange for the right to receive a number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (as defined below) and (ii) each option to purchase Scilex Common Stock that is then outstanding shall be converted into the right to receive an option relating to the New Scilex Common Stock upon substantially the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such option immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, a “New Scilex Option”) except that (y) such New Scilex Option shall relate to that whole number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to the number of shares of Scilex Common Stock subject to such option, multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, and (z) the exercise price per share for each such share of New Scilex Common Stock shall be equal to the exercise price per share of such option in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by the Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent).

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The total consideration to be received by securityholders of Scilex at the Closing will be newly issued shares of New Scilex Common Stock with an aggregate value equal to $1.5 billion, subject to adjustments for Scilex’s debt (the “Merger Consideration”).

When is the Business Combination expected to occur?

The Closing is expected to take place no later than (i) the third (3rd) business day following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions described below under the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Closing Conditions,” or (ii) such other date as agreed to by Vickers and Scilex in writing. The Merger Agreement may be terminated by either Vickers or Scilex if the Closing has not occurred by January 11, 2023, subject to certain exceptions.

For a description of the conditions to the completion of the Business Combination, see the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Closing Conditions.”

What happens if the Business Combination is not consummated?

If Vickers does not consummate a business combination by January 11, 2023, it will trigger its automatic winding up, dissolution and liquidation pursuant to the terms of the Current Charter. As a result, this has the same effect as if Vickers had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Accordingly, no vote would be required from Vickers’s shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, dissolution and liquidation. If Vickers is unable to consummate its initial business combination by January 11, 2023, it will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not necessary to pay its taxes, and then seek to liquidate and dissolve. Public shareholders will also forfeit any Public Warrants owned (including any Public Warrants included in any Unit that has not previously been separated). The estimated consideration that each Vickers Ordinary Share would be paid at liquidation would be approximately $10.29 per share for the public shareholders based on amounts on deposit in the Trust Account as of March 31, 2022. The closing price of the Vickers Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq as of July 19, 2022 was $10.28. The Initial Shareholders waived the right to any liquidation distribution with respect to any founder shares held by them.

What happens to the funds deposited in the Trust Account following the Business Combination?

Following the Closing, holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares exercising redemption rights will receive their per share redemption price out of the funds in the Trust Account. The balance of the funds will be released to Scilex to fund working capital needs of New Scilex. As of , 2022, there was approximately $ million in the Trust Account (including $ of accrued interest which Vickers can withdraw to pay taxes). Vickers estimates that approximately $10.29 per outstanding share issued in the IPO will be paid to the public investors exercising their redemption rights.

What equity stake will current Vickers shareholders and Scilex stockholders hold in New Scilex after the closing?

It is anticipated that upon completion of the Business Combination, if none of the 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed, Vickers’s public shareholders will retain an ownership interest of approximately 7.0% in New Scilex, the Sponsors, officers, directors and other holders of founder shares will retain an ownership interest of approximately 2.5% of New Scilex and the Scilex stockholders will own approximately 90.5% of New Scilex. If all of the 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed, Vickers’s public shareholders would not own any of New Scilex, the Sponsors, officers, directors and other holders of founder shares will retain an ownership interest of approximately 2.7% and the Scilex stockholders will own approximately 97.3% of New Scilex.

The ownership percentage with respect to New Scilex does not take into account (i) the issuance of any additional Vickers Ordinary Shares upon the Closing of the Business Combination under the Equity Incentive Plan or the ESPP or (ii) the reduction in the aggregate merger consideration due to certain specified indebtedness at the Closing. If the actual facts are different from these assumptions (which they

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are likely to be), the percentage ownership retained by the Vickers public shareholders will be different. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

What are the possible sources and the extent of dilution that public shareholders who elect not to redeem their shares will experience in connection with the Business Combination?

After the completion of the Business Combination, public shareholders will own a significantly smaller percentage of the combined company than they currently own of Vickers. Consequently, public shareholders, as a group, will have reduced ownership and voting power in the combined company compared to their ownership and voting power in Vickers.

The following table sets forth the ownership percentages of New Scilex upon completion of the Business Combination assuming no redemptions, 60% redemptions and 100% redemptions, including all sources of potential dilution. The ownership percentages reflected in the table are based upon the number of shares of Vickers Ordinary Shares and shares of Scilex Common Stock issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and are subject to the following additional assumptions:

•

exercise of all Warrants; and

•

no issuance of additional securities by Vickers prior to Closing.

For purposes of the table:

No Redemption Scenario: This scenario assumes that no public shareholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their Vickers Ordinary Shares upon consummation of the Business Combination.

Interim Redemption Scenario: This scenario assumes that public shareholders holding approximately 5,835,837 Vickers Ordinary Shares will exercise their redemption rights upon consummation of the Business Combination.

Maximum Redemption Scenario: This scenario assumes that public shareholders holding all 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares will exercise their redemption rights upon consummation of the Business Combination.

If any of these assumptions are not correct, these percentages will be different.

	No Redemption Scenario				Interim Redemption Scenario				Maximum Redemption Scenario
	Shares		Ownership Percentage		Shares		Ownership Percentage		Shares		Ownership Percentage
Vickers public shareholders		9,726,395		5.5%		3,890,558		2.3%		0		0.0%
Sponsor		3,450,000		2.0%		3,450,000		2.0%		3,450,000		2.1%
Shares Underlying Public Warrants		6,900,000		3.9%		6,900,000		4.0%		6,900,000		4.2%
Shares Underlying Private Warrants		6,840,000		3.9%		6,840,000		4.0%		4,104,000		2.5%
Scilex Equityholders		150,000,000		84.8%		150,000,000		87.7%		150,000,000		91.2%
Total Number of Shares		176,916,395				171,080,558				164,454,000

Did the Vickers Board obtain a third-party valuation or fairness opinion in determining whether to proceed with the Business Combination?

No. The Vickers Board did not obtain a third-party valuation or fairness opinion in connection with its determination to approve the Business Combination. The Vickers Board believes that based upon the financial skills and background of its directors, it was qualified to conclude that the Business Combination was fair from a financial perspective to the shareholders of Vickers. Dr. Jeffrey Chi, our Chief Executive Officer, was familiar with Scilex due to his service as a director of Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. (“Aardvark”) as of May 19, 2019 when the Sponsors made an investment in Aardvark. Aardvark’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tien-Li Lee, is a board member and a minority shareholder of Scilex and had suggested Scilex as a potential business combination partner. Subsequently, Aardvark entered into an agreement with Sorrento to sell its intellectual property for the use of Low Dose Naltrexone

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for chronic pain and fibromyalgia which sale was consummated in April 2021. In April 2022, this intellectual property was assigned to Scilex. On May 26, 2021, Sorrento invested $5.0 million in the initial closing of Aardvark’s Series B financing. The Sponsors subsequently also invested in Aardvark’s Series B in a subsequent closing in July 2021.

The Vickers Board did not believe these affiliations presented a conflict of interest as the transaction between Aardvark and Sorrento preceded the date when Vickers began to consider Scilex as a potential candidate for its initial business combination. Moreover, the technology that was sold by Aardvark to Sorrento (and ultimately Scilex) is in early pre-market stages with little value assigned to it. The potential royalty and milestone payments Aardvark may receive in the future are not likely to be significant to Aardvark nor received for many years. Aardvark has no ownership interest in Scilex.

The Vickers Board also determined, without seeking a valuation from a financial advisor, that Scilex’s fair market value was at least 80% of Vickers’s net assets, excluding any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned, at the time of signing the Merger Agreement. Accordingly, investors will be relying on the judgment of the Vickers Board as described above in valuing Scilex’s business and assuming the risk that the Vickers Board may not have properly valued such business.

Do any of Vickers’s directors or officers have interests that may conflict with my interests with respect to the Business Combination?

In considering the recommendation of the Vickers Board to vote for the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and other Proposals, Vickers’s shareholders should be aware that certain Vickers executive officers and directors may be deemed to have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, those of Vickers’s shareholders generally, including:

•

if the Business Combination is not completed by January 11, 2023, all of the 3,450,000 founder shares for which an aggregate of $25,000 was paid and all of the 6,840,000 Private Placement Warrants for which an aggregate of $5,130,000 was paid will be worthless;

•

the Sponsors have made additional loans to us (the “Working Capital Loans”) in the aggregate amount of $2,035,000 as of March 31, 2022, of which $1,500,000 may be converted into Working Capital Warrants at the option of the lender at a per warrant price of $0.75. The Working Capital Warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued in connection with the IPO. All Working Capital Loans in excess of $1,500,000 converted into Working Capital Warrants will be settled in cash;

•

additional promissory notes (the “Simple Promissory Notes”) entered into subsequent to March 31, 2022, in the aggregate amount of $2,000,000 as of June 20, 2022. On April 11, 2022, Vickers entered into two promissory notes with the Sponsors, pursuant to which the Sponsors agreed to loan Vickers up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000. On April 18, 2022, Vickers entered into an additional Simple Promissory Note in the amount of $500,000. The Simple Promissory Notes are non-interest bearing and payable upon consummation of the Business Combination. If a Business Combination is not consummated, the Simple Promissory Notes will not be repaid by Vickers and all amounts owed thereunder by Vickers will be forgiven except to the extent that Vickers has funds available to it outside of its Trust Account; and

•

following completion of the Business Combination, New Scilex will maintain directors and officers liability insurance that will include tail coverage for the former Vickers executive officers and directors.

The total aggregate value of these interests is $9,190,000.

These interests, which may create actual or potential conflicts of interest, are, to the extent material, described in the section entitled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination.”

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MEETING AND REDEMPTION RIGHTS

When and where is the Meeting?

The Meeting will be held at the offices of and virtually via live webcast at , Eastern Time, on , 2022. Vickers’s shareholders are strongly requested to attend the Meeting virtually.

How may I participate in the virtual Meeting?

If you are a Vickers shareholder of record as of the Record Date for the Meeting, you should receive a proxy card from Continental, containing instructions on how to attend the virtual Meeting including the URL address, along with your control number. You will need your control number for access. If you do not have your control number, contact Continental at (212) 509-4000 or email proxy@continentalstock.com.

You can pre-register to attend the virtual Meeting starting on , 2022. Go to http:// , enter the control number found on your proxy card you previously received, as well as your name and email address. Once you pre-register you can vote or enter questions in the chat box. At the start of the Meeting you will need to re-log into http:// using your control number.

If your Vickers Ordinary Shares are held in street name, and you would like to join and not vote, Continental will issue you a guest control number. Either way, you must contact Continental for specific instructions on how to receive the control number. Please allow up to 72 hours prior to the Meeting for processing your control number.

What is being voted on at the Meeting?

Below are the Proposals that the Vickers shareholders are being asked to vote on at the Meeting:

•

Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination.

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Proposal 2 — The Domestication Proposal — to approve the domestication of Vickers as a Delaware corporation.

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Proposal 3 — The Charter Approval Proposal — to approve and adopt the Proposed Charter attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B.

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Proposal 4 — The Bylaws Approval Proposal — to approve and adopt the Proposed Bylaws attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C.

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Proposals 5A-5G — The Advisory Governance Proposals — to approve and adopt, on a non-binding advisory basis, a proposal to approve governance provisions contained in the Proposed Charter, as compared to our Current Charter.

•

Proposal 6 — The Director Election Proposal — to elect, effective as of the consummation of the Business Combination, Jaisim Shah, Henry Ji, Ph.D., Dorman Followwill, Laura J. Hamill, Tien-Li Lee, M.D., David Lemus, and Tommy Thompson, to serve on the New Scilex Board until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

•

Proposal 7 — The Stock Plan Proposal — to approve and adopt the Equity Incentive Plan attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D.

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Proposal 8 — The ESPP Proposal — to approve and adopt the ESPP attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E.

•

Proposal 9 — The Nasdaq Proposal — to approve and adopt the issuance of more than 20% of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares in connection with the terms of the Merger Agreement, which will result in a change of control, as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a) and (b).

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Proposal 10 — The Adjournment Proposal — to approve the adjournment of the Meeting.

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What is the quorum requirement for the Meeting?

Shareholders representing a majority of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares as of the Record Date and entitled to vote at the Meeting must be present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy in order to hold the Meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. Vickers Ordinary Shares will be counted for purposes of determining if there is a quorum if the stockholder (i) is present in person, including by virtual attendance, and entitled to vote at the meeting, or (ii) has properly submitted a proxy card or voting instructions through a broker, bank or custodian. In the absence of a quorum, within half an hour from the time appointed for the Meeting to commence or if during the Meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the Meeting will stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and/or place or to such other day, time and/or place as the Vickers Board may determine.

What vote is required to approve the Proposals?

Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Business Combination Proposal.

Proposal 2 — The Domestication Proposal requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Domestication Proposal.

Proposal 3 — The Charter Approval Proposal requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Charter Approval Proposal.

Proposal 4 — The Bylaws Approval Proposal requires the affirmative vote two-thirds (2/3) of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Bylaws Approval Proposal.

Proposals 5A-5G — The Advisory Governance Proposals require the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Advisory Governance Proposals.

Proposal 6 — The Director Election Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Director Election Proposal.

Proposal 7 — The Stock Plan Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Stock Plan Proposal.

Proposal 8 — The ESPP Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote

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thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the ESPP Proposal.

Proposal 9 — The Nasdaq Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Nasdaq Proposal.

Proposal 10 — The Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. An abstention will count towards the quorum for the Meeting but will not otherwise be counted. Broker-non votes have no effect on the vote for the Adjournment Proposal.

Are any of the Proposals conditioned on one another?

Yes. Each of the Proposals other than the Advisory Governance Proposals and the Adjournment Proposal are contingent upon each other. It is important for you to note that in the event that the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, Vickers will not consummate the Business Combination. If Vickers does not consummate the Business Combination and fails to complete an initial business combination by January 11, 2023, Vickers will be required to dissolve and liquidate, unless Vickers seeks further shareholder approval to amend its Current Charter to extend the date by which the Business Combination may be consummated.

How will the Initial Shareholders vote?

Pursuant to a letter agreement, the Initial Shareholders agreed to attend the Meeting and vote their respective founder shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and other Proposals (the “Letter Agreement”). In addition, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Initial Shareholders entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement with Scilex, dated March 17, 2022, pursuant to which they agreed to vote all Vickers Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by them in favor of the Proposals. As of , 2022, a total of Vickers Ordinary Shares, or approximately % of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares, were subject to the Letter Agreement and the Sponsor Support Agreement. As a result, only Vickers Ordinary Shares held by the public shareholders will need to be present in person, including by virtual attendance, or by proxy to satisfy the quorum requirement for the Meeting. In addition, as the vote to approve the Business Combination Proposal is the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, assuming only the minimum number of Vickers Ordinary Shares to constitute a quorum is present, only Vickers Ordinary Shares, or approximately % of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares held by the public shareholders, must vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal for it to be approved.

How many votes do I have at the Meeting?

You are entitled to one vote for each Vickers Ordinary Share that you held as of , 2022, the Record Date.

Who may vote at the Meeting?

Only holders of record of Vickers Ordinary Shares as of the close of business on , 2022 may vote at the Meeting. As of , 2022, there were 13,176,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Please see “The Meeting — Record Date; Who is Entitled to Vote” for further information.

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Am I required to vote against the Business Combination Proposal in order to have my public shares redeemed?

No. You are not required to vote against the Business Combination Proposal in order to have the right to demand that Vickers redeem your public shares for cash equal to your pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (before payment of deferred underwriting commissions and including interest earned on their pro rata portion of the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). These rights to demand redemption of public shares for cash are sometimes referred to herein as “redemption rights.” If the Business Combination is not completed, holders of public shares electing to exercise their redemption rights will not be entitled to receive such payments and their public shares will be returned to them.

How do I exercise my redemption rights?

If you are a public shareholder and you seek to have your public shares redeemed, you must (i) demand, no later than , Eastern Time on , 2022 (at least two business days before the Meeting), that Vickers redeem your public shares into cash; and (ii) submit your request in writing to Continental, at the address listed at the end of this section and deliver your public shares to Continental physically or electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian) System, in each case, at least two business days before the Meeting.

Any corrected or changed written demand of redemption rights must be received by Continental at least two business days before the Meeting. No demand for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s public shares have been delivered (either physically or electronically) to Continental at least two business days prior to the vote before the Meeting.

Vickers public shareholders may seek to have their public shares redeemed regardless of whether they vote for or against the Business Combination and whether or not they are holders of public shares as of the Record Date. Any public shareholder who holds public shares on or before , 2022 (at least two business days before the Meeting) will have the right to demand that his, her or its shares be redeemed for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid, at the consummation of the Business Combination.

The actual per share redemption price will be equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest (net taxes payable), divided by the number of then-outstanding public shares. Please see the section titled “The Meeting — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your public shares for cash.

If I am a Unit holder, can I exercise redemption rights with respect to my Units?

No. Holders of outstanding Units must separate any Units into underlying public shares and Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares.

If I am a Warrant holder, can I exercise redemption rights with respect to my Warrants?

No. Holders of outstanding Warrants have no redemption rights with respect to their Warrants..

What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities?

As discussed more fully under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — U.S. Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities,” which constitutes the opinion of Loeb & Loeb LLP, counsel to Vickers, as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers’s securities, subject to the limitations, exceptions, beliefs, assumptions, and qualifications described in such opinion and otherwise herein, it is intended that the Domestication should qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. However, the provisions of the Code that govern reorganizations are complex, and due to the absence of direct guidance on the application of Section 368 to a statutory conversion of a corporation holding only investment-type assets such as Vickers, the qualification of the

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Domestication as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code is not entirely clear. If the Domestication so qualifies, then a U.S. Holder (as defined below) will be subject to Section 367(b) of the Code and, as a result:

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a U.S. Holder whose Vickers Ordinary Shares have a fair market value of less than $50,000 on the date of the Domestication and who on the date of the Domestication owns (actually and constructively) less than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of Vickers stock entitled to vote and less than 10% of the total value of all classes of Vickers stock will generally not recognize any gain or loss and will generally not be required to include any part of Vickers’s earnings in income pursuant to the Domestication;

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a U.S. Holder whose Vickers Ordinary Shares have a fair market value of $50,000 or more on the date of the Domestication, but who on the date of the Domestication owns (actually and constructively) less than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of Vickers stock entitled to vote and less than 10% of the total value of all classes of Vickers stock will generally recognize gain (but not loss) on the exchange of Vickers Ordinary Shares for New Scilex Common Stock pursuant to the Domestication. As an alternative to recognizing gain, such U.S. Holders may file an election to include in income as a dividend the “all earnings and profits amounts,” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-2(d)) attributable to their Vickers Ordinary Shares, provided certain other requirements are satisfied. Any U.S. Holder that is a corporation may, under certain circumstances, effectively be exempt from taxation on a portion or all of the deemed dividend pursuant to Section 245A of the Code. Vickers does not expect to have significant cumulative earnings and profits on the date of the Domestication; and

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a U.S. Holder who on the date of the Domestication owns (actually and constructively) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Vickers stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of Vickers stock will generally be required to include in income as a dividend the “all earnings and profits amount,” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-2(d))) attributable to its Vickers Ordinary Shares, provided certain other requirements are satisfied. Vickers does not expect to have significant cumulative earnings and profits on the date of the Domestication.

Furthermore, even if the Domestication qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, a U.S. Holder of Vickers securities may, in certain circumstances, still recognize gain (but not loss) upon the exchange of its Vickers securities for New Scilex Common Stock pursuant to the Domestication under the “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, rules of the Code equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of New Scilex Common Stock received in the Domestication and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the corresponding Vickers securities surrendered in exchange therefor. The tax on any such gain so recognized would be imposed at the rate applicable to ordinary income and an interest charge would apply. For a more complete discussion of the potential application of the PFIC rules to U.S. Holders as a result of the Domestication, see the discussion in the section titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Business Combination — U.S. Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities — Passive Foreign Investment Company Status.”

If the Domestication does not qualify as a reorganization, then a U.S. Holder that exchanges its Vickers securities for New Scilex Common Stock will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the fair market value of the New Scilex Common Stock received and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Vickers securities exchanged.

For a more detailed discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in this proxy statement/prospectus. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences to them (including the application and effect of any state, local or other income and other tax laws) of the Domestication.

What do I need to do now?

You are urged to read carefully and consider the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the annexes, and to consider how the Business Combination will affect you as a

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shareholder. You should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions provided in this proxy statement/prospectus and on the enclosed proxy card or, if you hold your shares through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, on the voting instruction form provided by the broker, bank or nominee.

How can I vote?

If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote at the Meeting, online at the virtual Meeting or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, the Internet or telephone. Whether or not you plan to participate at the Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. Even if you have already voted by proxy, you may still attend the virtual Meeting and vote online, if you choose.

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To vote online at the virtual Meeting, follow the instructions below under “How may I participate in the virtual Meeting?”

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To vote using the proxy card, please complete, sign and date the proxy card and return it in the prepaid envelope. If you return your signed proxy card before the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.

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To vote via the telephone, you can vote by calling the telephone number on your proxy card. Please have your proxy card handy when you call. Easy-to-follow voice prompts will allow you to vote your Vickers Ordinary Shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.

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To vote via the Internet, please go to and follow the instructions. Please have your proxy card handy when you go to the website. As with telephone voting, you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.

Telephone and Internet voting facilities for Vickers’s shareholders of record will be available 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on , 2022. After that, telephone and Internet voting will be closed, and if you want to vote your Vickers Ordinary Shares, you will either need to ensure that your proxy card is received before the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting or attend the virtual Meeting to vote your shares online.

If your Vickers Ordinary Shares are registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you are the “beneficial owner” of those Vickers Ordinary Shares and those Vickers Ordinary Shares are considered as held in “street name.” If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than directly from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card so as to be received no later than the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting to ensure that your vote is counted. You may be eligible to vote your Vickers Ordinary Shares electronically over the Internet or by telephone. A large number of banks and brokerage firms offer Internet and telephone voting. If your bank or brokerage firm does not offer Internet or telephone voting information, please complete and return your proxy card in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided.

If you plan to vote at the virtual Meeting, you will need to contact Continental at the phone number or email below to receive a control number and you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee reflecting the number of Vickers Ordinary Shares you held as of the Record Date, your name and email address. You must contact Continental for specific instructions on how to receive the control number. Please allow up to 72 hours prior to the Meeting for processing your control number.

After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other agent, to then register to attend the Meeting, you must submit proof of your legal proxy reflecting the number of your shares along with your name and email address to Continental. Requests for registration should be directed to (212) 509-4000 or email proxy@continentalstock.com. Requests for registration must be received no later than , Eastern Time, on , 2022.

You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email after we receive your registration materials. We encourage you to access the Meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time for the check in.

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Who can help answer any other questions I might have about the Meeting?

If you have any questions concerning the Meeting (including accessing the Meeting by virtual means) or need help voting your shares of common stock, please contact Continental at (212) 509-4000 or email proxy@continentalstock.com.

The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement/prospectus and form of proxy card are available at: .

If my shares are held in “street name” by my bank, brokerage firm or nominee, will they automatically vote my shares for me?

No. If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other holder of record holding shares for you, your shares will not be voted with respect to any Proposal for which your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. If a Proposal is determined to be discretionary, your broker, bank or other holder of record is permitted to vote on the Proposal without receiving voting instructions from you. If a Proposal is determined to be non-discretionary, your broker, bank or other holder of record is not permitted to vote on the Proposal without receiving voting instructions from you. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a bank, broker or other holder of record holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a non-discretionary proposal because the holder of record has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

Each of the Proposals to be presented at the Meeting is a non-discretionary proposal. Accordingly, if you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other holder of record holding shares for you, your shares will not be voted with respect to any of the Proposals. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the any of the Proposals.

What if I abstain from voting or fail to instruct my bank, brokerage firm or nominee?

Vickers will count a properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to a particular Proposal as present for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting but it will not otherwise be counted. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for the Proposals.

If I am not going to attend the Meeting, should I return my proxy card instead?

Yes. Whether you plan to attend the Meeting virtually or not, please read the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus carefully, and vote your Vickers Ordinary Shares by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided so as to be received no later than the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting.

How can I submit a proxy?

You may submit a proxy by (a) visiting and following the on screen instructions (have your proxy card available when you access the webpage), or (b) calling toll-free in the U.S. or from foreign countries from any touch-tone phone and follow the instructions (have your proxy card available when you call), or (c) submitting your proxy card by mail by using the previously provided self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Can I change my vote after I have mailed my proxy card?

Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the Meeting. You may revoke your proxy by executing and returning a proxy card dated later than the previous one as long as it is received no later than the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting, or by attending the Meeting in person and casting your vote or by voting again by the telephone or Internet voting options described below, or by submitting a written revocation stating that you would like to revoke your proxy that our proxy solicitor receives prior to the Meeting. If you hold your Vickers Ordinary Shares through a bank, brokerage firm or nominee, you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage

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firm or nominee regarding the revocation of proxies. If you are a record holder, you should send any notice of revocation or your completed new proxy card, as the case may be, to:

Morrow Sodali LLC
333 Ludlow Street
Stamford, CT 06902
Toll Free: (800) 662-5200
Collect: (203) 658-9400
Email: VCKA.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

Unless revoked, a proxy will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the shareholder’s indicated instructions. In the absence of instructions, proxies will be voted FOR each of the Proposals.

What will happen if I return my proxy card without indicating how to vote?

If you sign and return your proxy card without indicating how to vote on any particular Proposal, the Vickers Ordinary Shares represented by your proxy will be voted in favor of each Proposal. Proxy cards that are returned without a signature will not be counted as present at the Meeting and cannot be voted.

Should I send in my share certificates now to have my shares of Vickers Ordinary Shares redeemed?

Vickers public shareholders who intend to have their Vickers Ordinary Shares redeemed should send their certificates to Continental at least two business days before the Meeting. Please see “The Meeting — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your public shares for cash.

Who will solicit the proxies and pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Meeting?

Vickers will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Meeting. Vickers has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC (“Morrow Sodali”) to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. Vickers has agreed to pay Morrow Sodali a fee of approximately $27,500 and will reimburse Morrow Sodali for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and indemnify Morrow Sodali and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses. Vickers will also reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of Vickers Ordinary Shares for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of the Vickers Ordinary Shares and in obtaining voting instructions from those owners. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies.

What happens if I sell my shares before the Meeting?

The Record Date for the Meeting is earlier than the date of the Meeting, as well as the date that the Business Combination is expected to be consummated. If you transfer your Vickers Ordinary Shares after the Record Date, but before the Meeting, unless the transferee obtains from you a proxy to vote those shares, you would retain your right to vote at the Meeting, but will transfer ownership of the shares and will not hold an interest in Vickers after the Business Combination is consummated.

Are Scilex’s stockholders required to approve the Business Combination?

Yes. The Scilex stockholders are required to approve the Business Combination.

Sorrento entered into a Company Stockholder Support Agreement dated March 17, 2022, with Vickers and Scilex, pursuant to which Sorrento agreed to vote all Scilex Common Stock beneficially owned by it, including any additional shares of Scilex it acquires ownership of or the power to vote, in favor of the Business Combination and related transactions. As of , 2022, Sorrento owns % of the issued and outstanding shares of Scilex Common Stock.

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Are there risks associated with the Business Combination that I should consider in deciding how to vote?

Yes. There are a number of risks related to the Business Combination and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement that are discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus. Please read with particular care the detailed description of the risks described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 36 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

May I seek statutory appraisal rights or dissenter rights with respect to my shares?

No. Appraisal rights are not available to holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares in connection with the Business Combination or the Domestication Proposal. For additional information, see the section titled “The Meeting — Appraisal Rights.”

Who will manage New Scilex after the Business Combination?

As a condition to the closing of the Business Combination, all of the officers and directors of Vickers will resign, so that effective at the Closing, the New Scilex Board will consist of seven individuals, a majority of whom will be independent directors in accordance with the requirements of Nasdaq. For information on the anticipated management of New Scilex, see the section titled “Directors and Executive Officers of New Scilex after the Business Combination” in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Who can help answer my questions about the Proposals and related matters?

If you have questions about the Proposals or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact Vickers’s proxy solicitor at:

Morrow Sodali LLC
333 Ludlow Street
Stamford, CT 06902
Toll Free: (800) 662-5200
Collect: (203) 658-9400
Email: VCKA.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

You may also obtain additional information about Vickers from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

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SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT

This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus but may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read this entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the Annexes and other documents referred to herein, carefully in their entirety. Please read these documents carefully as they are the legal documents that govern the Business Combination and your rights in the Business Combination.

Unless otherwise specified, all share calculations assume no exercise of the redemption rights by Vickers’s shareholders.

The Parties to the Business Combination

Vickers Vantage Corp. I

Vickers is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 21, 2020 and shall change its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Vickers was 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.

On January 11, 2021, Vickers consummated the IPO of 13,800,000 Units at $10.00 per Unit, which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase 1,800,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $138,000,000.

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, Vickers consummated the sale of 6,840,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to the Sponsors, generating gross proceeds of $5,130,000.

The amounts held in the Trust Account may only be used by Vickers upon the consummation of a business combination, except that there can be released to Vickers, from time to time, any interest earned on the funds in the Trust Account that it may need to pay its income or other tax obligations. The remaining interest earned on the funds in the Trust Account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and Vickers’s liquidation. Vickers executed the Merger Agreement on March 17, 2022. Under its Current Charter, Vickers must complete an initial business combination by January 11, 2023. If the Business Combination cannot be completed by such date, Vickers must liquidate.

After deducting the underwriting discounts, offering expenses, and commissions from the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, a total of $139,380,000 ($10.10 per Unit) was deposited into the Trust Account, and the remaining $559,637 of the net proceeds were held outside of the Trust Account and made available to be used for the payment of offering costs and for working capital purposes.

On December 20, 2021, the Sponsors loaned Vickers an aggregate of $500,000 for working capital purposes. On January 6, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $1,035,000 into the Trust Account, to provide Vickers with an additional three months to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to the Current Charter. On January 27, 2022, the Sponsors loaned Vickers an additional aggregate principal amount of $500,000 for working capital purposes. On April 10, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $1,035,000 into the Trust Account to provide Vickers with an additional three months to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to the Current Charter. On June 30, 2022, Vickers’s shareholders approved an amendment (the “Extension Amendment”) to its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the deadline by which it must complete an initial business combination from July 11, 2022 to January 11, 2023. Any such extension is to be made on a monthly basis and is conditioned on the deposit into the Trust Account of a payment equal to $0.0333 per public share outstanding. In connection with the shareholder vote on the Extension Amendment, Vickers was required to provide its shareholders with the right to redeem their public shares. Holders of 4,073,605 public shares elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of $10.25 thereby reducing the amount in the Trust Account by an aggregate of approximately $41.8 million. On July 8, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $323,888.95 into the Trust Account to provide Vickers with an additional calendar month to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to the Current Charter. After the redemption of the 4,073,605 public

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shares, there were 9,726,395 public shares remaining. Unless otherwise stated, all references to the balance in the Trust Account and public shares outstanding reflect the impact of the redemption.

As of March 31, 2022, Vickers had cash outside the Trust Account of $127,440 available for its working capital needs. As of , 2022, there was approximately $ million held in the Trust Account (including $ of accrued interest which Vickers can withdraw to pay taxes).

The Units, Vickers Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbols “VCKAU,” “VCKA,” and “VCKAW,” respectively. The Units commenced trading on January 7, 2021 and the Vickers Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants commenced separate public trading on March 3, 2021. Application will be made for the shares of New Scilex Common Stock and New Scilex Warrants to be approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “SCLX” and “SCLXW” respectively.

Vickers’s principal executive offices are located at 1 Harbourfront Avenue, #16-06 Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632, and its telephone number is (646) 974-8301.

Scilex Holding Company

Overview

Scilex is a commercial biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing non-opioid therapies for patients with acute and chronic pain. Scilex believes that its innovative non-opioid product portfolio has the potential to provide effective pain management therapies that can have a transformative impact on patients’ lives. Scilex targets indications with high unmet needs and large market opportunities with non-opioid therapies for the treatment of patients with acute and chronic pain and is dedicated to advancing and improving patient outcomes. Scilex launched its first commercial product in October 2018 and is developing its late-stage pipeline, which includes a pivotal Phase 3 candidate, a Phase 2 candidate and a Phase 1 candidate that is expected to enter into Phase 2 studies in the second half of 2022. Scilex’s commercial product, ZTlido (lidocaine topical system) 1.8% (“ZTlido”) is a prescription lidocaine topical product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (“PHN”) which is a form of post-shingles nerve pain. ZTlido possesses novel delivery and adhesion technology designed to address many of the limitations of current prescription lidocaine patches by providing significantly improved adhesion and continuous pain relief throughout the 12-hour administration period. Scilex licenses the rights to ZTlido from and relies exclusively on Oishi Koseido Co., Ltd.(“Oishi”) and Itochu Chemical Frontier Corporation (“Itochu,” and together with Oishi, the “Developers”) pursuant to the Product Development Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement (both as defined below). The Developers have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and the Commercial Supply Agreement under certain circumstances as more fully described in the sections titled “Business of Scilex — Material Agreements — Itochu and Oishi Product Development Agreement” and “Business — Material Agreements — Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement,” including, among other things, if Scilex’s total net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 are equal to or less than five percent of its net sales of ZTlido and SP-103 for a period of four or more consecutive quarters. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex’s net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 have not exceeded five percent of net sales. Accordingly, Oishi and Itochu have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, neither Oishi nor Itochu has exercised its right of termination.

Scilex’s three product candidates are (i) SP-102 (10 mg, dexamethasone sodium phosphate viscous gel) (“SEMDEXA”), a Phase 3, novel, viscous gel formulation of a widely used corticosteroid for epidural injections to treat lumbosacral radicular pain, or sciatica, (ii) SP-103 (lidocaine topical system) 5.4%, (“SP-103”), a Phase 2, next-generation, triple-strength formulation of ZTlido, for the treatment of low back pain (“LBP”), and (iii) SP-104 (4.5 mg, low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release capsules) (“SP-104”), a novel low-dose delayed-release naltrexone hydrochloride formulation for treatment of fibromyalgia, for which Phase 1 trials were completed in the second quarter of 2022 and a Phase 2 clinical trial is expected to commence in the second half of 2022. If these product candidates are approved by the FDA, Scilex believes each of them could become the treatment option for their respective indications in the United States. In addition, on June 14, 2022, Scilex entered into a License and Commercialization Agreement (the “Romeg

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Agreement”) with RxOmeg Therapeutics, LLC (a/k/a Romeg Therapeutics, Inc.) (“Romeg”). Pursuant to the Romeg Agreement, among other things, Romeg granted Scilex (1) the right to manufacture, promote, market, distribute and sell pharmaceutical products comprising liquid formulations of colchicine for the prophylactic treatment of gout (a painful arthritic disorder) in adult humans in the United States and (2) an exclusive, transferable license to use the trademark “GLOPERBA”. GLOPERBA is an FDA-approved, oral medication for the treatment of gout in adults and Scilex is planning to commercialize GLOPERBA beginning in the first half of 2023 and is well-positioned to market and distribute the product. For more information on Scilex, please see the sections titled “Business of Scilex — Our Marketed Product and Pipeline” and “Business of Scilex — Material Agreements — Romeg License and Commercialization Agreement.”

Scilex’s Marketed Product and Innovative Non-Opioid Pipeline

Scilex is focused on developing and commercializing innovative non-opioid therapies that will provide safe, substantial and localized pain relief for large market opportunities. The following chart illustrates its current commercial product and novel product candidates, for which it has worldwide commercialization rights, except with respect to Japan for ZTlido and SP-103.

[MISSING IMAGE: tm2214659d3-tbl_platform4c.jpg]

Scilex’s principal executive offices are located at 960 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, California 94303, and its telephone number is (650) 516-4310. For more information on Scilex, please see the sections titled “Business of Scilex” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Scilex.”

Merger Sub

Merger Sub is Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vickers formed for the purpose of consummating the Business Combination. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, Merger Sub will have merged with and into Scilex, with Scilex surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vickers. Merger Sub owns no material assets and does not operate any business.

Merger Sub’s principal executive office is located at Vickers’s principal executive offices at 1 Harbourfront Avenue, #16-06 Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632.

The Merger Agreement

On March 17, 2022, Vickers, Merger Sub, and Scilex entered into the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, (i) prior to the Effective Time, Vickers will change its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (see “Proposal 2 — The Domestication Proposal” for further information on the Domestication) and (ii) at the Effective Time, and following the Domestication, Merger Sub will merge with

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and into Scilex, with Scilex continuing as the surviving entity and wholly owned subsidiary of Vickers. The Vickers Board has (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Business Combination and the other transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend that Vickers’s shareholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Business Combination.

Merger Consideration

As a result of and upon the Closing of the Business Combination, among other things, (i) all outstanding shares of Scilex Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares held by Scilex or its subsidiaries or shares the holders of which exercise dissenters rights of appraisal) will be cancelled in exchange for the right to receive a number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (as defined below) and (ii) each option to purchase Scilex Common Stock that is then outstanding shall be converted into the right to receive an option relating to the New Scilex Common Stock upon substantially the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such option immediately prior to the Effective Time except that (y) such New Scilex Option shall relate to that whole number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to the number of shares of Scilex Common Stock subject to such option, multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, and (z) the exercise price per share for each such share of New Scilex Common Stock shall be equal to the exercise price per share of such option in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by the Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent).

The “Exchange Ratio” means an amount equal to the quotient of (i) the number of shares constituting the Merger Consideration (as defined below), divided by (ii) the sum of the number of (y) shares of Scilex Common Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any such shares held in treasury), plus (z) shares of Scilex Common Stock issuable upon, or subject to, the settlement of options to purchase shares of Scilex Common Stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

The “Merger Consideration” is calculated as the quotient of (i) $1.5 billion less Specified Indebtedness (as defined below) divided by (ii) $10.00.

The term “Specified Indebtedness” means the aggregate amount owed by Scilex to Sorrento in respect of (i) those certain senior secured notes due 2026 issued under that certain Indenture, dated as of September 7, 2018, by and among Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc., as the issuer, Sorrento, as the parent guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent, as amended from time to time; and (ii) all obligations of Scilex for borrowed money, or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind (including amounts by reason of overdrafts and amounts owed by reason of letter of credit reimbursement agreements) including with respect thereto, all interests, fees and costs and prepayment and other penalties and all obligations of Scilex evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments of Scilex and any of its subsidiaries other than such Specified Indebtedness owed to Sorrento. As of June 30, 2022, the amount of Specified Indebtedness is approximately $69.4 million. See the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Certain Transactions of Scilex — Indenture and Letter of Credit” for a further discussion of this indebtedness.

Closing

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Closing will take place at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on the date that is no later than the third business day after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions), unless another time or date is mutually agreed to in writing by the parties. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to as the “Closing Date.”

Representations and Warranties

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of Scilex relating to, among other things, corporate existence and power, corporate authorization, non-contravention, consents, capital

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structure, organizational documents, assumed names, subsidiaries, financial statements, absence of certain changes, properties, title to Scilex’s assets, litigation, contracts, licenses and permits, compliance with laws, intellectual property, customers and suppliers, employees and employee benefit plans, withholding, real property, tax matters, environmental laws, finder’s fees, directors and officers, certain business practices, international trade matters, anti-bribery compliance, compliance with health care laws and certain contracts, insurance, related party transactions and data privacy matters.

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of Vickers and Merger Sub relating to, among other things, corporate existence and power, corporate authorization, governmental authorization, non-contravention, finder’s fees, issuance of shares, capitalization, information supplied, trust fund, listing, no market manipulation, board approval, Vickers’s SEC filings and financial statements, absence of changes, litigation, compliance with laws, money laundering laws and Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) compliance, tax matters, contracts and investment company status.

None of the representations, warranties or covenants, including any rights upon breach of such representations, warranties or covenants will survive the Closing except for such covenants and agreements that by their terms expressly apply post-Closing.

Covenants

The Merger Agreement includes customary covenants of the parties with respect to operation of their respective businesses prior to consummation of the Business Combination and efforts to satisfy conditions to consummation of the Business Combination. The Merger Agreement also contains additional covenants of the parties, including, among others, those with respect to access to certain information, notification of the occurrence of certain facts and circumstances, and cooperation in the preparation of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Non-solicitation Provision

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties have agreed that, from the date of the Merger Agreement through the Closing Date (the “Interim Period”), neither Scilex, on the one hand, nor Vickers and Merger Sub, on the other hand, will (and each of them will cause their respective officers, directors, affiliates, managers, consultants, employees, representatives and agents not to), directly or indirectly:

•

solicit, initiate, engage or participate in, or knowingly encourage or facilitate, negotiations with any person or entity concerning, or make any offers or proposals related to, any Alternative Transaction (as defined below);

•

enter into, engage in or continue any discussions or negotiations with respect to an Alternative Transaction with, or provide any non-public information, data or access to employees to, any person or entity that has made, or to the respective party’s knowledge, is considering making, a proposal with respect to an Alternative Transaction; or

•

approve, recommend or enter into any Alternative Transaction or any contract related to any Alternative Transaction.

The term “Alternative Transaction” means (other than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement) (i) with respect to Scilex: (y) any transaction or series of related transactions under which any persons or entities, directly or indirectly, acquires or otherwise purchases Scilex, including through merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, amalgamation, recapitalization, other similar transaction, (z) any sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of 25% or more of the total assets of Scilex or any class or series of the share capital or capital stock or other equity interests of Scilex in a single transaction or series of related transactions that, if consummated, would result in any other person owning 25% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of Scilex; or (ii) with respect to Vickers, any “Business Combination” as such term is defined in Vickers’s organizational documents.

Conditions to the Obligations of all of the Parties

The obligations of each party to the Merger Agreement to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

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•

There will not be in force any order, statute, rule or regulations enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Business Combination; provided that the governmental authority issuing such order has jurisdiction over the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

•

This proxy statement/prospectus shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement shall have been issued or proceedings for that purpose initiated by the SEC.

•

Vickers’s shareholders shall have approved the Proposals at the Meeting by the requisite vote required under law and the governing documents of Vickers.

•

Scilex stockholders shall have approved the Merger Agreement by written consent of the requisite number of votes required under law and the governing documents of Scilex.

•

All required filings under the HSR Act shall have been made and the waiting period or periods under the HSR Act applicable to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will have expired or been terminated.

Conditions to the Obligations of Vickers and Merger Sub

The obligations of Vickers and Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction, or the waiver at Vickers’s and Merger Sub’s sole and absolute discretion, of all the following conditions:

•

Scilex shall have duly performed all of its obligations under the obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing Date in all material respects, unless the applicable obligation has a materiality qualifier in which case it shall be duly performed in all respects.

•

All of the representations and warranties of Scilex contained in the Merger Agreement disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained herein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) with respect to Scilex, regardless of whether it involved a known risk, shall be true and correct at and as of the date of the Merger Agreement, and be true and correct as of the Closing Date (other than, in each case, if the representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, then such representations and warranties need only to be true and correct as of such date), other than as would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Scilex.

•

Since the date the Merger Agreement was signed, no Material Adverse Effect has occurred that is continuing, regardless of whether it involved a known risk.

•

The receipt by Vickers and Merger Sub of a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Scilex certifying the satisfaction of the conditions described in the preceding three bullet points.

•

The receipt by Vickers and Merger Sub of (i) a copy of the organizational documents of Scilex as in effect as of the Closing Date, (ii) copies of (A) resolutions duly approved by the Scilex Board authorizing the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (B) the approval of the Scilex stockholders, and (iii) a recent certificate of good standing as of a date no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date regarding Scilex from the Delaware Secretary of State.

•

Vickers and Merger Sub shall have received a copy of each of the additional agreements to which Scilex is a party, duly executed by Scilex and by all other parties thereto, and each such additional agreement shall be in full force and effect.

•

Sorrento shall have executed the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below).

Conditions to the Obligations of Scilex

The obligation of Scilex to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions any one or more of which may be waived in writing by Scilex:

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•

Vickers and Merger Sub shall have duly performed all of their obligations hereunder required to be performed by them at or prior to the Closing Date in all material respects, unless the applicable obligation has a materiality qualifier in which case it shall be duly performed in all respects.

•

All of the representations and warranties of Vickers and Merger Sub contained in Article V of the Merger Agreement, disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained herein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect with respect to Vickers, regardless of whether it involved a known risk, shall be true and correct at and as of the date of the Merger Agreement and be true and correct as of the Closing Date (other than in each case except for representation and warranties that speak as of a specific date, in which case such representations and warranties need only to be true and correct as of such), other than as would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Vickers.

•

Since the date of the Merger Agreement, no Material Adverse Effect with respect to Vickers has occurred that is continuing, regardless of whether it involved a known risk.

•

Scilex shall have received a certificate signed by an authorized officer of Vickers and Merger Sub certifying the satisfaction of the conditions described in the preceding three bullet points.

•

From the date hereof until the Closing, the Vickers and Merger Sub shall have been in material compliance with the reporting requirements under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to Vickers and Merger Sub, respectively.

•

Each of Vickers and Merger Sub shall have executed and delivered to Scilex each ancillary agreement to be executed in connection with the Business Combination to which it is a party.

•

The directors designated by Scilex shall have been appointed to the Vickers Board, effective as of the Closing.

•

Vickers shall remain listed on Nasdaq and the additional listing application for the New Scilex Common Stock issued in connection with the Business Combination and the initial listing application in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall have been approved by Nasdaq. As of the Closing Date, Vickers shall not have received any written notice from Nasdaq that it has failed, or would reasonably be expected to fail to meet the Nasdaq initial or continued listing requirements as of the Closing Date for any reason, where such notice has not been subsequently withdrawn by Nasdaq or the underlying failure appropriately remedied or satisfied.

•

After giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, Vickers shall have at least $5,000,001 in net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act) immediately after the Effective Time.

•

The Domestication shall have been completed as provided in the Merger Agreement and a time-stamped copy of the certificate issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in relation thereto shall have been delivered to Scilex.

•

The Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2021, by and between Vickers and Continental (the “Investment Management Trust Agreement”) shall have been amended solely to the extent necessary to enable the intended effects of the UWA Amendment (as defined below) without breach of, or other conflict with, the Investment Management Trust Agreement as so amended.

Termination; Effectiveness

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned:

•

by the mutual written consent of Scilex and Vickers;

•

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with its covenants and agreements, in each as set forth in the Merger Agreement, would not be satisfied and the breach or breaches causing such representations or warranties not to be true and correct, or the failure to perform any covenant or agreement, as applicable, are not cured (or waived by Vickers) by the earlier of (i) July 10, 2022 (the “Outside Date”) or (ii) 30 days after written notice thereof is delivered to Scilex; provided, however, that Vickers shall not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement if Vickers or Merger Sub is then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under the Merger Agreement, which breach has not been cured;

•

by Scilex, if any of the representations or warranties of Vickers or Merger Sub set forth in the Merger Agreement shall not be true and correct, or if Vickers or Merger Sub has failed to perform any covenant or agreement on its part set forth in the Merger Agreement (including an obligation to consummate the Closing), in each case such that the conditions to Scilex’s obligations to consummate the Business Combination with respect to the accuracy of Vickers’s and Merger Sub’s representations and warranties or compliance with their covenants and agreements, in each case, as set forth in the Merger Agreement, would not be satisfied and the breach or breaches causing such representations or warranties not to be true and correct, or the failure to perform any covenant or agreement, as applicable, are not cured (or waived by Scilex) by the earlier of (i) the Outside Date or (ii) 30 days after written notice thereof is delivered to Vickers; provided, however, that Scilex shall not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to this provision if Scilex is then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under the Merger Agreement, which breach has not been cured;

•

by either Scilex or Vickers:

(i)

on or after the Outside Date, if the Business Combination shall not have been consummated prior to the Outside Date; provided that if an Extension Amendment shall be in effect, the Outside Date shall be the Extension Date; or

(ii)

if any order prohibiting the consummation of the Business Combination (provided, that the governmental authority issuing such order has jurisdiction over Vickers and Scilex with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement) is in effect and shall have become final and non-appealable;

•

by Scilex if any of the Condition Precedent Proposals fail to receive the requisite approval of Vickers’s public shareholders at the Meeting (unless the Meeting has been adjourned or postponed, in which case at the final adjournment or postponement thereof); or

•

by Vickers if the adoption of the Merger Agreement by Scilex stockholders is not obtained within five (5) business days following this proxy statement/prospectus being declared effective by the SEC, provided that this termination right will not be available if such written consent is delivered to Vickers prior to the termination of the Merger Agreement (even if after the five (5) business day period described above).

In the event of the termination of the Merger Agreement, written notice thereof will be given by the party desiring to terminate to the other party or parties, specifying the provision of the Merger Agreement pursuant to which such termination is made, and the Merger Agreement shall following such delivery will become null and void (other than such termination provisions and certain miscellaneous provisions of the Merger Agreement), and there shall be no liability on the part of Vickers or Merger Sub or their respective directors, officers and Affiliates; provided, however, that nothing in the Merger Agreement will relieve any party from liability for any fraud or willful breach.

Certain Related Agreements and Arrangements

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favor of the Proposals, (ii) not to redeem any of their Vickers Ordinary Shares in conjunction with shareholder approval of the Business Combination and (iii) waive any and all anti-dilution or similar rights (if any) that may otherwise be available under applicable law or pursuant to any contract with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and not to take any action in furtherance of exercising any such rights. Additionally, under such support agreement, each Sponsor has agreed, subject to and contingent upon the Closing, in the event that holders of more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares exercise redemption rights in conjunction with the shareholder vote on the Proposals, then such Sponsor will forfeit a number of its Private Placement Warrants equal to forty percent (40%) of all Private Placement Warrants held by such Sponsor immediately prior to Closing.

Company Stockholder Support Agreement. Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Vickers, Scilex and Sorrento entered into a Company Stockholder Support Agreement dated March 17, 2022, pursuant to which Sorrento agreed to vote all Scilex Common Stock beneficially owned by it, including any additional shares of Scilex it acquires ownership of or the power to vote, in favor of the Business Combination and related transactions.

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement. The Merger Agreement contemplates that, at or prior to the Closing, Vickers, Sorrento, the Sponsors, Ms. Woo, Mr. Kaji and Dr. Myint will enter into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), whereby, subject to certain customary exceptions, the parties will agree, among other things, not to transfer any shares of Vickers Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchanged for Vickers Common Stock beneficially owned or owned of record by such holder until the date that is the earlier of (i) one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the date on which New Scilex completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of New Scilex’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of New Scilex Common Stock for cash, securities or other property. The Registration Rights Agreement will govern the registration of certain shares of Vickers Common Stock for resale and be effective as of the Closing, and includes certain customary demand and “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to shares of New Scilex Common Stock held by the parties thereto. A maximum of 133,989,542 shares of New Scilex Common Stock will be subject to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Certain Compensation Arrangements. Under the Merger Agreement, Vickers acknowledges certain compensation arrangements of New Scilex directors, officers and management team, which arrangements will become effective as of the Closing, subject to necessary approvals. For more information see “Scilex’s Executive Compensation — New Scilex Executive Officer Compensation Following the Business Combination” and “Scilex’s Director Compensation — New Scilex Director Compensation Following the Business Combination.”

Underwriting Agreement Amendment. On March 17, 2022, Vickers and Maxim entered into an amendment (the “UWA Amendment”) of the underwriting agreement, dated January 6, 2021, that was entered into between Vickers and Maxim in connection the IPO. The UWA Amendment provides that in connection with the Business Combination, after redemptions of Vickers Ordinary Shares by the public shareholders, in the event that the balance in the Trust Account is $25,000,000 or less, then certain deferred underwriting fees owed to Maxim by Vickers will be payable as follows:

(i)

50% of such deferred underwriting fees will be payable to Maxim directly from the Trust Account; and

(ii)

the remaining 50% of such deferred underwriting fees will be payable to Maxim in the form of an interest-free promissory note under which such amounts are to be repaid on or before the one year anniversary of the effective date of a Business Combination.

Maxim has also agreed to enter into any such amendment to the Investment Management Trust Agreement as may be required to effectuate the intent of the UWA Amendment.

The following table sets forth the effective underwriting fee (inclusive of the 2.0% fee that was previously paid by Vickers at the closing of its IPO) at each redemption scenario:

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	No Redemption Scenario	Interim Redemption Scenario	Maximum Redemption Scenario
Underwriting Fee	$7.59 million	$7.59 million	$7.59 million
IPO Proceeds Remaining in the Trust Account(1)	$99.8 million	$59.88 million	—
Effective Underwriting Fee(2)	7.6%	12.7%	N/A

(1)

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.

(2)

The effective underwriting fee is calculated by dividing the underwriting fee in dollars by the IPO proceeds in dollars remaining in the Trust Account.

Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination

When you consider the recommendation of the Vickers Board in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and other Proposals, you should keep in mind that Vickers’s directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder, including:

•

If an initial business combination, such as the Business Combination, is not completed by January 11, 2023, Vickers will be required to dissolve and liquidate. If Vickers is unable to consummate the Business Combination by such date, it must liquidate and the 3,450,000 founder shares currently held by the Initial Shareholders (including 25,000 founder shares beneficially owned each by Ms. Woo, Mr. Kaji and Dr. Myint, respectively), which were acquired prior to the IPO, will be worthless because such holders have agreed to waive their rights to any liquidation distributions. The founder shares were purchased for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.

•

In addition, if Vickers is unable to consummate the Business Combination by January 11, 2023 and Vickers must liquidate, the 6,840,000 Private Placement Warrants purchased by the Sponsors for a total purchase price of $5,130,000, will be worthless. Each Sponsor has agreed, subject to and contingent upon the Closing, in the event that holders of more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares exercise redemption rights in conjunction with the shareholder vote on the Proposals, then such Sponsor will forfeit a number of its Private Placement Warrants equal to forty percent (40%) of all Private Placement Warrants held by such Sponsor immediately prior to Closing.

•

The exercise of Vickers’s directors’ and officers’ discretion in agreeing to changes or waivers in the terms of the transaction may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether such changes or waivers are appropriate and in our shareholders’ best interest.

•

If the Business Combination is completed, Scilex will designate all members of New Scilex’s Board of Directors, however two (2) of the designees of Scilex that constitute independent directors will be agreed to by us prior to the Closing. Our shareholders are expected to elect such designees to serve as members of New Scilex’s Board of Directors after the Closing. As such, in the future such designees may receive cash fees, stock options or stock awards that the New Scilex Board of Directors determines to pay to its executive and non-executive directors.

•

On December 20, 2021, the Sponsors loaned us an aggregate of $500,000 for working capital purposes (the “December 2021 Loans”). On January 6, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $1,035,000 into the Trust Account in the form of a non-interest-bearing loan, as required to provide us an additional three months to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to our Current Charter (the “January 2022 Deposit”). On January 27, 2022, the Sponsors loaned us an additional aggregate principal amount of $500,000 for working capital purposes (the “January 2022 Loans”). On April 10, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $1,035,000 into the Trust Account, to provide us an additional three months to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to our Current Charter (the “April 2022 Deposit”). On July 8, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $323,888.95 into the Trust Account as required to provide us an additional calendar month to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to our Current Charter (the “July 2022 Deposit”). The December 2021 Loans, the January 2022 Deposit, the January 2022 Loans, the

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April 2022 Deposit, and the July 2022 Deposit were evidenced by promissory notes. If we complete an initial business combination, we will, at the option of the Sponsors, repay the amounts evidenced by the promissory notes or convert up to $1,500,000 of the total amount of such deposit and loans into Working Capital Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Working Capital Warrant, which Working Capital Warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued simultaneously with the IPO, and repay the remaining amount in cash. If an initial business combination, such as the Business Combination, is not completed by January 11, 2023, we will repay such amounts only from funds held outside of the Trust Account.

•

The total potential ownership in New Scilex of the Sponsors and their affiliates, assuming conversion of the maximum amount of Working Capital Loans and the exercise of all outstanding Warrants, assuming there are no redemptions, would be 6.9%, as follows:

	Shares		%
Founder Shares		3,450,000		2.0
Sponsor Warrants		6,840,000		3.8
Working Capital Warrants		2,000,000		1.1
Vickers’s Public Shares		9,726,395		5.4
Vickers’s Public Warrants		6,900,000		3.9
Scilex Equityholders		150,000,000		83.8
Total		178,916,395		100.0%

•

The Sponsors made an investment for the founder shares at an average price per share of approximately $0.007 prior to the consummation of the IPO. As a result of the significantly lower investment per share of the Sponsors as compared to the investment per share of our public shareholders (which was $10.00 per unit), a transaction that results in an increase in the value of the investment of the Sponsors in the founder shares may result in a decrease in the value of the investment of our public shareholders. Given the difference in the purchase price that the Sponsors paid for the founder shares and the purchase price that the Sponsors paid for the Private Placement Warrants as compared to the price of the public shares and Public Warrants and the substantial number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock that the Sponsors and Vickers’s directors currently holding founder shares will receive upon conversion of the founder shares and the Private Placement Warrants in connection with the Business Combination, the Sponsors and such directors can earn a positive return on their investment, even if other Vickers shareholders have a negative return on their investment in New Scilex. Therefore, they may be incentivized to complete an acquisition of a less favorable target or on terms less favorable to shareholders rather than liquidate.

•

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Scilex will maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy in favor of Vickers’s current directors and offices on terms not less favorable than the terms of the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies under which each such directors and officers are currently covered, or otherwise cause coverage to be extended under the applicable existing Vickers insurance policy by obtaining a “tail” insurance policy that provides coverage for up to a six-year period from the Closing Date, for the benefit of such directors and officers that is substantially equivalent to and in any event not less favorable in the aggregate than the applicable existing insurance policy covering such directors and officers.

•

Our Initial Shareholders, members of our management team or their respective affiliates, may receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities conducted on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices or similar locations of prospective target businesses, including Scilex, to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us in this regard.

In reaching its decision to authorize the Merger Agreement, the Vickers Board was aware of these potential conflicts of interest and considered these interests, among other matters, when approving and declaring advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement on

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the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and recommended that our shareholders adopt and approve the Merger Agreement and approve the other Proposals.

The Meeting

Date, Time and Place of the Meeting

The Meeting will be held at the offices of and virtually via live webcast at , Eastern Time, on , or such other date, time and place to which the Meeting may be adjourned or postponed, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice. Vickers’s shareholders are strongly requested to attend the Meeting virtually.

Record Date; Outstanding Shares; Shareholders Entitled to Vote

Vickers has fixed the close of business on , 2022, as the record date for determining those Vickers shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of the close of business on the Record Date, there were 13,176,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, of which 9,726,395 are public shares and 3,450,000 are founder shares held by the Initial Shareholders. Each holder of Vickers Ordinary Shares is entitled to one vote per share on each Proposal.

Quorum and Required Vote

A quorum of Vickers’s shareholders is necessary to hold the Meeting. The presence, in person, including by virtual attendance, or by proxy, of Vickers’s shareholders representing a majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares as of the Record Date and entitled to vote at the Meeting will constitute a quorum for the Meeting.

Approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Advisory Governance Proposals, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, ESPP Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal will each require an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Approval of the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal and the Bylaws Approval Proposal will each require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

With respect to the Business Combination, pursuant to the Letter Agreement and the Support Agreement, the Initial Shareholders holding an aggregate of 3,450,000 shares (or 26.2% of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares) have agreed to attend the Meeting and vote their respective shares in favor of each of the Proposals. As a result, only 3,138,198 Vickers Ordinary Shares held by the public shareholders will need to be present in person, including by virtual attendance, or by proxy to satisfy the quorum requirement for the Meeting. In addition, as the vote to approve the Business Combination Proposal is the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof at which a quorum is present, then assuming only the minimum number of Vickers Ordinary Shares to constitute a quorum is present, only 862,501 Vickers Ordinary Shares, or approximately 5.0% of the outstanding shares held by the public shareholders, must vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal for it to be approved.

Recommendations of the Vickers Board and Reasons for the Business Combination

After careful consideration of the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the Vickers Board has determined that Business Combination and the transactions contemplated thereby are fair to, and in the best interests of, Vickers and its shareholders. In reaching its decision with respect to the Business

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Combination and the transactions contemplated thereby, the Vickers Board reviewed various industry and financial data and the evaluation of materials provided by Scilex. The Vickers Board did not obtain a fairness opinion on which to base its assessment. The Vickers Board recommends that Vickers’s shareholders vote:

•

FOR the Business Combination Proposal;

•

FOR the Domestication Proposal;

•

FOR the Charter Approval Proposal;

•

FOR the Bylaws Approval Proposal;

•

FOR the Advisory Governance Proposals;

•

FOR the Director Election Proposal;

•

FOR the Stock Plan Proposal;

•

FOR the ESPP Proposal;

•

FOR the Nasdaq Proposal; and

•

FOR the Adjournment Proposal.

Regulatory Approvals

The Business Combination and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not subject to any additional regulatory requirement or approval, except for (i) filings with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies and Secretary of State of the State of Delaware necessary to effectuate the Domestication and the Business Combination, (ii) filings under the HSR Act and the expiration of any applicable waiting period thereunder and (iii) filings required with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements applicable to Vickers, and the requirements of the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act, including the requirement to file the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part and to disseminate it to its shareholders. Vickers and Scilex filed the required forms under the HSR Act with the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (“Antitrust Division”) and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) on April 18, 2022 and the waiting period expired on May 19, 2022.

Appraisal Rights

There are no appraisal rights available to holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares, Private Placement Warrants, Public Warrants or Units in connection with the Business Combination or the Domestication.

Total Shares of Common Stock Outstanding Upon Consummation of the Business Combination

It is anticipated that, upon the Closing of the Business Combination, if none of the 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares have been redeemed, Vickers’s public shareholders will retain an ownership interest of approximately 7.0% in New Scilex, the Sponsors and directors of Vickers will retain an ownership interest of approximately 2.5% in New Scilex, and the Scilex stockholders will own approximately 90.5% of the outstanding common stock of New Scilex.

The following summarizes the pro forma ownership of New Scilex Common Stock, following the Business Combination under the no redemption, interim redemption and maximum redemption scenarios:

	No Redemption Scenario				Interim Redemption Scenario				Maximum Redemption Scenario
	Shares		%		Shares		%		Shares		%
Vickers public shareholders		9,726,395(1)		7.0%		3,890,558(2)		2.9%		—		—%
Vickers Initial Shareholders(3)		3,450,000		2.5%		3,450,000		2.6%		3,450,000		2.7%
Scilex stockholders(4)		125,714,240		90.5%		125,714,240		94.5%		125,714,240		97.3%
Total Shares at the Closing(5)(6)		138,890,635		100%		133,054,798		100%		129,164,240		100%

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(1)

The no redemption scenario is based on the number of shares outstanding as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. Specifically, Vickers public shareholders of 4,073,605 Vickers Ordinary Shares elected to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares at a per share redemption price of $10.25 in connection with the Extension Proposal that occurred on June 30, 2022 to amend Vickers’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and, as such, the no redemption scenario reflects 9,726,395 shares held by Vickers public shareholders as of the Closing.

(2)

The interim redemption scenario assumes redemptions of 5,835,837 Vickers Ordinary Shares for aggregate redemption payments of approximately $60.1 million using a per share redemption price of $10.29.

(3)

In connection with Vickers’s IPO, the Initial Shareholders agreed they would not exercise any redemption rights with respect to the founder shares. In addition, they agreed that they would not to transfer, assign or sell their founder shares until six months after the date of the consummation of an initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, Vickers consummated a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property. In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the parties also agreed to enter into an amended and restated registration rights agreement that also provides for a lock-up of 180 days post-Closing of the Business Combination subject to very limited exceptions.

(4)

In addition, the number of shares held by Scilex stockholders at the Closing is based on the Merger Consideration calculated as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.

(5)

The total shares at the Closing under the three redemption scenarios exclude the potential dilutive effect of all of the Public Warrants, the Private Placement Warrants, any Working Capital Warrants and all outstanding Scilex stock options issued to Scilex option holders in connection with the Business Combination. With respect to the Public Warrants, the warrants are not redeemable when Vickers public shareholders exercise their redemption rights with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares. Under all three redemption scenarios, there would be 6,900,000 Public Warrants outstanding. With respect to the Private Placement Warrants, there would be 6,840,000 Private Placement Warrants in the minimum and interim scenarios, but only 4,104,000 Private Placement Warrants in the maximum scenario as the Sponsors have agreed to forfeit 40% of the Private Placement Warrants if more than 75% of the holders of the Vickers Ordinary Shares exercise their redemption rights. The maximum number of Working Capital Warrants that may be outstanding under all scenarios is 2,000,000; however, the conversion of Working Capital Loans to Working Capital Warrants is at the discretion of the lender. With respect to the Scilex stock options, the number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock subject to Scilex stock options that are converted into New Scilex stock options at the Closing would be 17,341,392 under all three scenarios.

(6)

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex intends to repurchase the remaining outstanding principal balance of the Scilex Pharma Notes (described in more detail under the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Scilex — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Debt Financings — Scilex Pharma Notes”) of $41.4 million, pursuant to the terms of Amendment No. 4, prior to the Closing of the Business Combination. This repurchase would reduce the Specified Indebtedness Amount to $0, which would result in Merger Consideration of 150,000,000 shares of New Scilex Common Stock. In such event, 131,816,802 shares of New Scilex Common Stock would be issued to Scilex stockholders and the remaining 18,183,198 shares of New Scilex Common Stock would be reserved for the Scilex option holders. Accordingly, the Scilex stockholders would own 90.9% of the shares of New Scilex Common Stock under the no redemption scenario, 94.7% of the shares of New Scilex Common Stock under the interim redemption scenario, and 97.4% of the shares of New Scilex Common Stock under the maximum redemption scenario. Disclosures of the percentages elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus do not reflect the intention described in this footnote unless otherwise indicated.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

For a discussion summarizing the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication and the exercise of redemption rights, please see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

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Anticipated Accounting Treatment

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, we will perform a comprehensive review of the two entities’ accounting policies. As a result of the review, we may identify differences between the accounting policies of the two entities which, when conformed, could have a material impact on the financial statements of the post-combination company. Based on its initial analysis, we did not identify any differences that would have a material impact.

Redemption Rights

Pursuant to the Current Charter, a public shareholder may elect to have their Vickers Ordinary Shares redeemed for cash at the applicable redemption price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest (net of taxes payable), by (ii) the total number of then-outstanding public shares. As of March 31, 2022, this would have amounted to approximately $10.18 per public share.

You will be entitled to receive cash for any public shares to be redeemed only if you:

(i)

(a)

hold public shares, or

(b)

hold public shares through Units and you elect to separate your Units into the underlying public shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the public shares; and

(ii)

prior to , Eastern Time, on , 2022, (a) submit a written request to Continental that Vickers redeem your public shares for cash and (b) deliver your public shares to Continental, physically or electronically through DTC.

Holders of outstanding Units must separate the underlying public shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares. If the Units are registered in a holder’s own name, the holder must deliver the certificate for its Units to Continental, with written instructions to separate the Units into their individual component parts. This must be completed far enough in advance to permit the mailing of the certificates back to the holder so that the holder may then exercise his, her or its redemption rights upon the separation of the public shares and Public Warrants from the Units. Each Unit contains one-half of a Public Warrant and no fractional Public Warrants may be issued. If a holder owns an odd number of Public Warrants, the fractional Public Warrant will expire worthless.

If a holder exercises its redemption rights, then such holder will be exchanging its redeemed public shares for cash and will no longer own any public shares of Vickers. Any Public Warrants will be unaffected. Such a holder will be entitled to receive cash for its public shares only if it properly demands redemption and delivers its public shares (either physically or electronically) to Continental in accordance with the procedures described herein. Please see the section titled “The Meeting — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your public shares for cash.

Emerging Growth Company

Vickers is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may 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, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in Vickers’s periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that

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have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. New Scilex has irrevocably elected not to avail itself of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. As a result, changes in rules of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or their interpretation, the adoption of new guidance or the application of existing guidance to changes in New Scilex’s business could significantly affect New Scilex’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, New Scilex is in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act, as more fully described in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Scilex — Emerging Growth Company.”

New Scilex will qualify and will remain as an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the closing of the IPO, (b) in which New Scilex has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which New Scilex is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the common equity of New Scilex that is held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter; and (ii) the date on which New Scilex has issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.

Smaller Reporting Company

Additionally, Vickers is currently a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. Following the Business Combination, Vickers expects that New Scilex will no longer be a smaller reporting company because it will be a majority-owned subsidiary of Sorrento.

Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the rights of Vickers’s shareholders who become New Scilex stockholders in the Business Combination will no longer be governed by the Current Charter and instead will be governed by the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws. See “Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights.”

Summary Risk Factors

In evaluating the Business Combination and the Proposals to be considered and voted on at the Meeting, you should carefully review and consider the risk factors set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 36 of this proxy statement/prospectus. Some of these risks are summarized below. References in the summary under the subheadings “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Limited Operating History, Financial Condition and Capital Requirements”, “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Commercial Operations and Product Development”, “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Business and Operations”, “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Intellectual Property”, “— Risks Related to Government Regulations” and “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Relationship with Sorrento” to “we,” “us,” “our,” and “the Company” generally refer to Scilex in the present tense or New Scilex from and after the Business Combination.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Limited Operating History, Financial Condition and Capital Requirements

•

We are currently a single commercial product company that is heavily dependent on the commercial success of ZTlido and we may be unable to generate sufficient revenue to support our operations.

•

We have a limited operating history and have incurred significant losses since our inception. We anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future.

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•

Even after the completion of the Business Combination, we will require substantial additional funding, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

•

Our recurring losses from operations, negative cash flows and substantial cumulative net losses raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Commercial Operations and Product Development

•

We obtain our commercial supply of ZTlido, clinical supply of our product candidates and certain of the raw materials used in our product candidates from sole or single source suppliers and manufacturers. In the event of a loss of one of these suppliers or manufacturers, or a failure by any such supplier or manufacturer to comply with FDA regulations, we may not be able to find an alternative source on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

•

We rely on third parties to conduct our clinical trials and intend to rely on third parties to conduct all of our future clinical trials. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or meet expected deadlines, we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates.

•

Interim “top-line” and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.

•

ZTlido may have undesirable properties that could result in significant negative consequences, and our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Business and Operations

•

If we are unable to retain our key executives, it may delay our development efforts and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

•

Any disruption in our research and development facilities could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Intellectual Property

•

We are substantially dependent on the intellectual property we in-license from Oishi and Itochu, and if we lose the right to license such intellectual property or if the Product Development Agreement is terminated for any reason, our ability to commercialize ZTlido and develop and commercialize SP-103 would be harmed.

•

We recently entered into the Romeg Agreement for the in-licensing of certain intellectual property rights from Romeg with respect to the commercialization of GLOPERBA, and if we lose the right to license such intellectual property or if the Romeg Agreement is terminated for any reason, our ability to commercialize GLOPERBA would be harmed.

•

If we are unable to maintain patent protection for ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates, or if the scope of the patent protection obtained is not sufficiently broad, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets.

Risks Related to Government Regulations

•

The regulatory approval processes of the FDA are lengthy, time-consuming and inherently unpredictable, and if we are ultimately unable to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be substantially harmed.

•

Any approved product candidate will be subject to ongoing and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant expense and limit our ability to commercialize such products.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Relationship with Sorrento

•

Certain of our directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions with Sorrento.

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•

We are controlled by Sorrento, whose interests may differ from those of our public shareholders.

Risks Related to Ownership of New Scilex’s Common Stock

•

If the perceived benefits of the Business Combination do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of Vickers’s securities or, following the Business Combination, New Scilex’s securities, may decline.

•

New Scilex will be an emerging growth company, and it cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make its common stock less attractive to investors.

•

Following the Business Combination, New Scilex will be a controlled company within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and, as a result, will qualify for, and may rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. Stockholders of New Scilex may not have the same protection afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such governance requirements.

Risks Related to Vickers and the Business Combination

•

Vickers will be forced to liquidate the Trust Account if it cannot consummate a business combination by January 11, 2023. In the event of a liquidation, Vickers’s public shareholders will receive $10.29 per share and the Warrants will expire worthless.

•

There is no guarantee that a shareholder’s decision whether to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account will put the shareholder in a better future economic position.

•

Vickers will not obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party as to the fairness of the Business Combination.

•

Vickers’s Sponsors, directors and officers may have certain conflicts in determining to recommend the acquisition of Scilex, since certain of their interests, and certain interests of their affiliates and associates, are different from, or in addition to (and which may conflict with), your interests as a shareholder.

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RISK FACTORS

You should consider carefully the following risk factors, as well as the other information set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus, including matters addressed in the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” before making a decision on how to vote your Vickers Ordinary Shares. These risk factors are not exhaustive. We may face additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial. The following discussions should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes to the financial statements included therein.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in the subsection “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Limited Operating History, Financial Condition and Capital Requirements”, “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Commercial Operations and Product Development”, “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Business and Operations”, “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Intellectual Property”, “— Risks Related to Government Regulations” and “— Risks Related to Scilex’s Relationship with Sorrento” to “we,” “us,” “our,” and “the Company” generally refer to Scilex in the present tense or New Scilex from and after the Business Combination.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Limited Operating History, Financial Condition and Capital Requirements

We are currently a single commercial product company that is heavily dependent on the commercial success of ZTlido and we may be unable to generate sufficient revenue to support our operations.

ZTlido is our only product approved for commercial sale and we are entirely dependent upon its sales to generate revenue. In February 2018, we obtained regulatory approval for ZTlido for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with PHN, which is a form of post-shingles nerve pain, and we began commercializing ZTlido in the United States in October 2018. As a result, it is difficult to evaluate our current business and predict our future prospects. We cannot assure that ZTlido will gain market acceptance among physicians, health care payors, patients and the medical community, which is critical to our commercial success. We have limited experience engaging in commercial activities and limited relationships with physicians, hospitals and payors. Market acceptance of ZTlido depends on a number of factors, including:

•

acceptance by physicians, major operators of clinics and patients of the drug as a safe and effective treatment for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with PHN;

•

the availability, cost and potential advantages of alternative treatments, including less expensive generic products;

•

the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts;

•

the availability of coverage, adequacy of reimbursement and favorability of pricing policies by third-party payors and government authorities;

•

the timing of market introduction of other competitive products;

•

the product labeling or any product inserts required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”); and

•

the prevalence and severity of adverse side effects.

In order to successfully commercialize ZTlido, we will need to expand our marketing efforts to develop new relationships and expand existing relationships. Physicians may decide not to prescribe ZTlido for a variety of reasons, including changes in available offerings, adverse publicity, perceived safety issues, inadequate coverage or reimbursement for ZTlido or the utilization of products developed by other parties, all of which are circumstances outside of our control. Demand for ZTlido may not increase as quickly as we predict, and we may be unable to increase our revenue to the level that we currently expect. Even if we succeed in increasing market acceptance of ZTlido, maintaining and creating relationships with physicians, we may be unable to reach or sustain a level of profitability.

Our ability to effectively promote ZTlido will also depend on pricing and cost-effectiveness, including our ability to produce at a competitive price. In addition, our efforts to educate the medical community and third-party payors on the benefits of ZTlido may require significant resources, may be constrained by FDA rules and policies on product promotion and may never be successful.

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We have a limited operating history and have incurred significant losses since our inception. We anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future.

We have a limited operating history. Prior to March 2019, our operations were conducted through Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Scilex Pharma”), which was formed in September 2012 and is now our wholly-owned subsidiary. In March 2019, we effected a corporate reorganization and acquired Semnur Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Semnur”), which was formed in June 2013. Since our inception, we have focused on organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, identifying potential non-opioid pain therapy candidates, undertaking preclinical studies and clinical trials of our product candidates and establishing research and development and manufacturing collaborations. All of our revenue to date is attributable to sales of ZTlido, and we expect that sales of ZTlido will account for all of our revenue for at least the near term. Our relatively short operating history as a company makes any assessment of our future success and viability subject to significant uncertainty.

Investment in biopharmaceutical product development is highly speculative because it entails substantial upfront capital expenditures and significant risk that any potential product candidate will fail to demonstrate adequate effect or an acceptable safety profile, gain regulatory approval and become commercially viable. We will encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by early-stage biopharmaceutical companies in rapidly evolving fields, and we have not yet demonstrated an ability to overcome such risks and difficulties successfully. Our ability to execute on our business model and generate revenues depends on a number of factors including our ability to:

•

successfully complete ongoing pre-clinical studies and clinical trials and obtain regulatory approvals for our current and future product candidates;

•

identify new acquisition or in-licensing opportunities;

•

successfully identify new product candidates and advance those product candidates into pre-clinical studies and clinical trials;

•

raise additional funds when needed and on terms acceptable to us;

•

attract and retain experienced management and advisory teams;

•

add operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support clinical, pre-clinical manufacturing and planned future commercialization efforts and operations;

•

launch commercial sales of our product candidates, whether alone or in collaboration with others;

•

initiate and continue relationships with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and have commercial quantities of product candidates manufactured at acceptable cost and quality levels and in compliance with the FDA, and other regulatory requirements;

•

set acceptable prices for product candidates and obtain coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors;

•

achieve market acceptance of product candidates in the medical community and with third-party payors and consumers; and

•

maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio.

If we cannot successfully execute any one of the foregoing, our business may not succeed or become profitable.

Since our inception, we have incurred significant net losses, with net losses of $88.4 million, $47.5 million, and $178.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $352.6 million. For the foreseeable future, we expect to continue to incur significant expenses related to the commercialization of ZTlido and GLOPERBA and the research and development of our product candidates, SP-102 (10 mg dexamethasone sodium phosphate viscous gel) (“SEMDEXA”), SP-103 (lidocaine topical system) 5.4% (“SP-103”), and SP-104 (4.5mg, low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release capsules) (“SP-104”). We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially due to the completion of the pivotal Phase 3 trial for SEMDEXA,

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commencement of the Phase 2 clinical trial for SP-103 and initiation of the multiple Phase 1 trials for SP-104. Consequently, we expect to incur substantial losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable.

We are subject to risks incidental to the development of new biopharmaceutical products, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect our business. If we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our failure to become and remain profitable could impair our ability to raise capital, maintain our research and development efforts, expand our business or continue our operations.

The terms of our outstanding debt arrangements place restrictions on our operating and financial flexibility.

On September 7, 2018, Scilex Pharma issued and sold senior secured notes due 2026 (the “Scilex Pharma Notes”), in an aggregate principal amount of $224.0 million, for an aggregate purchase price of $140.0 million. The Scilex Pharma Notes are governed by an indenture (as amended, the “Indenture”), with Scilex Pharma, as issuer, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”), and Sorrento, as guarantor. Pursuant to an amendment to the Indenture, (i) on June 3, 2022, Scilex Pharma repurchased approximately $41.4 million of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Scilex Pharma Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof (the “Repurchase”), (ii) the holders of the Scilex Pharma Notes agreed that Scilex Pharma can repurchase the remaining principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes at any time on or before September 30, 2022 for $41.4 million (subject to reduction for any quarterly royalty payments) and upon such repurchase the holders of the Scilex Pharma Notes will forgive and discharge $28.0 million of the aggregate principal amount of such notes, and (iii) the minimum cash requirement under the Indenture was reduced to $5.0 million in aggregate unrestricted cash equivalents at the end of each calendar month. As of June 30, 2022, the outstanding principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes is $69.4 million.

The Indenture provides that the holders of the Scilex Pharma Notes will be entitled to receive quarterly payments in an amount equal to a fixed percentage, ranging from 15% to 25%, of the net sales of ZTlido for the prior fiscal quarter on each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. As security for the Scilex Pharma Notes, Scilex Pharma has granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Purchasers, a continuing security interest in and lien on Scilex Pharma’s right, title, and interest in and to ZTlido and all property and assets of Scilex Pharma that are necessary for, or otherwise relevant to, now or in the future, the manufacture and sale of ZTlido, on a worldwide basis (exclusive of Japan). The Indenture contains customary events of default with respect to the Scilex Pharma Notes (including a failure to make any payment of principal on the Scilex Pharma Notes when due and payable), and, upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, the Trustee by notice to Scilex Pharma, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Scilex Pharma Notes by notice to Scilex Pharma and the Trustee, may (subject to the provisions of the Indenture) declare 100% of the then-outstanding principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes to be due and payable immediately. In the case of certain events, including bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us, the Scilex Pharma Notes will automatically become due and payable. In addition, upon a change of control of Scilex Pharma (as defined in the Indenture), each holder of a Scilex Pharma Note shall have the right to require Scilex Pharma to repurchase all or any part of such Scilex Pharma Note holder’s then-outstanding Scilex Pharma Note at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the then-outstanding principal amount thereof. The Business Combination will not constitute a change of control for purposes of the Scilex Pharma Notes. We may not have sufficient funds and may not be able to arrange for additional financing to pay the amounts that may become due under the Scilex Pharma Notes.

Pursuant to the Indenture, Scilex Pharma must also comply with certain covenants with respect to the commercialization of ZTlido, as well as customary affirmative and restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, dividends, share repurchases, certain restricted payments, prepayment, redemption or repurchase of subordinated debt, fundamental transactions including a merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving Scilex Pharma, transactions with affiliates and investments. In addition, if actual cumulative net sales of ZTlido from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 are less than approximately $218.1 million, then we will be obligated to pay an additional installment of the principal of the Scilex

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Pharma Notes each quarter in an amount between approximately $10.1 million and approximately $30.6 million, with the amount of the additional installment of principal to be determined by reference to the amount by which cumulative net sales of ZTlido from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 are less than approximately $218.1 million. In addition, if our actual cumulative net sales of ZTlido from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 are less than approximately $290.7 million, then the aggregate principal amount due under the Scilex Pharma Notes will be increased by between approximately $2.6 million and approximately $84.8 million, with the amount of the principal increase to be determined by reference to the amount by which the cumulative net sales of ZTlido from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 is less than approximately $290.7 million. Any failure to reach the above milestones could substantially reduce the amount of money available to finance our operations and business activities.

Our outstanding indebtedness and any future indebtedness we may incur, combined with our other financial obligations, could increase our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and market conditions, limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry and impose a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or better debt servicing options. If we raise additional capital through debt financing, the terms of any new debt could further restrict our ability to operate our business.

The Indenture imposes certain affirmative and restrictive covenants on Sorrento, and certain events involving Sorrento may trigger an event of default under the Scilex Pharma Notes, which would result in the Scilex Pharma Notes becoming automatically due and payable.

Pursuant to the Indenture, Sorrento agreed to irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee, on a senior unsecured basis, the punctual performance and payment when due of all obligations of Scilex Pharma under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”). As a result of the Guarantee, the Indenture contains certain events of default with respect to the Scilex Pharma Notes that may be triggered as a result of certain actions, failures to act or events involving Sorrento. For example, each of the following events is an event of default under the Indenture: (1) if Sorrento fails to honor the Guarantee, or (2) if there is a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization event involving Sorrento. Any failure by Sorrento to honor the Guarantee or any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization event involving Sorrento would result in an event of default and the Scilex Pharma Notes becoming automatically due and payable. We cannot guarantee that Sorrento will be able to satisfy all of its obligations under the Indenture. Any failure by Sorrento to comply with its obligations under the Indenture could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, particularly if any such failure to comply results in an event of default or the Scilex Pharma Notes otherwise becoming automatically due and payable.

We may be required to make milestone payments to the former stockholders of Semnur in connection with our development and commercialization of SEMDEXA, which could adversely affect the overall profitability of SEMDEXA, if approved.

Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger we entered into with Semnur, Sigma Merger Sub, Inc., our prior wholly-owned subsidiary, Fortis Advisors LLC, solely as representative of the holders of Semnur equity, or the Semnur Equityholders, and Sorrento, for limited purposes, we are obligated to pay the Semnur Equityholders up to an aggregate of $280.0 million in contingent cash consideration based on the achievement of certain milestones. A $40.0 million payment will be due upon obtaining the first approval of a new drug application by the FDA (“NDA”) of any Semnur product, which includes SEMDEXA. Additional payments will be due upon the achievement of certain cumulative net sales of Semnur products, as follows:

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a $20.0 million payment upon the achievement of $100.0 million in cumulative net sales of a Semnur product;

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$20.0 million payment upon the achievement of $250.0 million in cumulative net sales of a Semnur product;

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a $50.0 million payment upon the achievement of $500.0 million in cumulative net sales of a Semnur product; and

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a $150.0 million payment upon the achievement of $750.0 million in cumulative net sales of a Semnur product.

These milestone obligations could impose substantial additional costs on us, divert resources from other aspects of our business, and adversely affect the overall profitability of SEMDEXA, if approved. We may need to obtain additional financing to satisfy these milestone payments, and cannot be sure that any additional funding, if needed, will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all.

Even after the completion of the Business Combination, we will require substantial additional funding, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We expect to significantly increase our spending to continue our commercialization efforts for ZTlido, advance development of our current product candidates and launch and commercialize any product candidates for which we receive regulatory approval. Furthermore, following the Business Combination, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. We will also require additional capital to fund our other operating expenses and capital expenditures.

As of March 31, 2022, our cash and cash equivalents were approximately $33.6 million and we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $361.7 million. The amount and timing of our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, some of which are outside of our control, including but not limited to:

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the costs and expenses associated with our ongoing commercialization efforts for ZTlido;

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the degree of success we experience in commercializing ZTlido;

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the revenue generated by sales of ZTlido and other products that may be approved, if any;

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the scope, progress, results and costs of conducting studies and clinical trials for our product candidates, SEMDEXA, SP-103 and SP-104;

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the timing of, and the costs involved in, obtaining regulatory approvals for our product candidates;

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the costs of manufacturing ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates;

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the timing and amount of any milestone, royalty or other payments we are required to make pursuant to any current or future collaboration or license agreements;

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our ability to maintain existing, and establish new, strategic collaborations, licensing or other arrangements and the financial terms of any such agreements, including the timing and amount of any future milestone, royalty or other payments due under any such agreement;

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the extent to which ZTlido, GLOPERBA or any of our product candidates, if approved for commercialization, is adopted by the physician community;

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our need to expand our research and development activities;

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the costs of acquiring, licensing or investing in businesses, product candidates and technologies;

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the effect of competing products and product candidates and other market developments;

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the number and types of future products we develop and commercialize;

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any product liability or other lawsuits related to our products;

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the expenses needed to attract, hire and retain skilled personnel;

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the costs associated with being a public company after the closing of the Business Combination;

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our need to implement additional internal systems and infrastructure, including financial and reporting systems;

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the number of public shares that are redeemed by our public shareholders;

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the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications and maintaining, enforcing and defending intellectual property-related claims; and

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the extent and scope of our general and administrative expenses.

Until we are able to generate significant revenue, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, government contracts or other strategic transactions. We cannot be sure that any additional funding, if needed, will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. Any additional fundraising efforts may divert our management from their day-to-day activities, which may adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates. Furthermore, any additional equity or equity-related financing may be dilutive to our stockholders, and debt or equity financing, if available, may subject us to restrictive covenants and significant interest costs. If we raise additional funds through collaborations or strategic alliances with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our product candidates, future revenue streams, research programs or technologies, or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to raise additional financing on acceptable terms, we may be required to significantly reduce or cease our operations.

Our recurring losses from operations, negative cash flows and substantial cumulative net losses raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

In Note 2 titled “Liquidity and Going Concern” of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, we disclose that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph in its report on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, which stated that substantial doubt existed about our ability to continue as a going concern. We have negative working capital and have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations and expect to continue incurring losses for the foreseeable future. Further, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $352.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and approximately $264.1 million as of December 31, 2020. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Our ability to become a profitable operating company is dependent upon our ability to generate revenue and obtain financing adequate to fulfill our development and commercialization activities, and achieving a level of revenue adequate to support our cost structure. We have plans to obtain additional resources to fund our currently planned operations and expenditures through additional debt and equity financing. Our plans are substantially dependent upon the success of future sales of ZTlido, which is still in the early stages of commercialization, and are dependent upon, among other things, the success of our marketing of ZTlido and our ability to secure additional payor contracts with terms that are consistent with our business plan. If we are unable to obtain sufficient funding, our financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected and we may be unable to continue as a going concern. After the completion of the Business Combination, future financial statements may disclose substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we seek additional financing to fund our business activities in the future and there remains substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, investors or other financing sources may be unwilling to provide additional funding to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. Any material weakness may cause us to fail to timely and accurately report our financial results or result in a material misstatement of our financial statements.

In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we identified control deficiencies in the design and operation of our internal control over financial reporting that constituted a material weakness. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the material weakness identified in our internal control over financial reporting related to ineffective control activities in the areas of revenue, debt, derivative liabilities, cash flows and leases caused by a lack of sufficient accounting resources. As a result of the material

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weakness, we hired additional accounting personnel and are implementing remediation measures including, but not limited to, performing a comprehensive assessment of accounting and finance resource requirements and hiring other personnel with sufficient accounting expertise at Sorrento to improve the operating effectiveness of our review controls and monitoring activities, and utilizing external accounting experts as appropriate. Any potential material misstatements were identified and corrected as audit adjustments in the applicable periods and are properly reflected in the Scilex financial statements included in this proxy statement/prospectus. We expect to hire personnel with accounting expertise and utilize external accounting experts at Scilex following the closing of the Business Combination.

In the future, in order to properly manage our internal control over financial reporting, we may need to take additional measures to further augment our finance resources, and we cannot be certain that the measures we have taken, and expect to take, to improve our internal controls will be sufficient to ensure that our internal controls will remain effective and eliminate the possibility that other material weaknesses or deficiencies may develop or be identified in the future. If we experience future material weaknesses or deficiencies in internal controls and we are unable to correct them in a timely manner, our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information accurately and within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, will be adversely affected. Any such failure could negatively affect the market price and trading liquidity of the New Scilex Common Stock, lead to delisting, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, subject us to civil and criminal investigations and penalties, and generally materially and adversely impact our business and financial condition.

If we identify future material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting or fail to meet the demands that will be placed upon us as a public company, including the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or report them within the timeframes required by law or stock exchange regulations. Failure to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could also potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. If additional material weaknesses exist or are discovered in the future, and we are unable to remediate any such material weakness, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Commercial Operations and Product Development

We rely on a number of sole or single source suppliers and manufacturers, including:

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the manufacturer and supplier for the commercial supply of ZTlido;

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the manufacturer and supplier for the clinical supply of SP-103;

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the manufacturer and supplier for the clinical supply of SP-104;

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the supplier of sodium hyaluronate, one of the excipients for SEMDEXA; and

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the manufacturer for the clinical supply of SEMDEXA.

Under the Product Development Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2011, by and among Scilex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (as successor to Stason Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), Oishi Koseido Co., Ltd. (“Oishi”) and Itochu Chemical Frontier Corporation (“Itochu,” and together with Oishi, the “Developers”) (as amended, the “Product Development Agreement”), and the Commercial Supply Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2017, by and among Scilex Pharma and Oishi and Itochu (as amended, the “Commercial Supply Agreement”), we license the rights to ZTlido from and rely exclusively on Oishi and Itochu for the manufacturing and supply of ZTlido and SP-103 (collectively, the “Products”). Oishi and Itochu have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and the Commercial Supply Agreement under certain circumstances, including, among other things: (1) if we are in material breach of the agreement and the breach is not curable or if the breach is curable and we fail to cure such material breach within 180 days after notice requesting to cure; (2) if, at any time during the term of the Product Development Agreement and

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the Commercial Supply Agreement, the market conditions are such that (a) our total net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 are equal to or less than five percent of our net sales of ZTlido and SP-103 for a period of four or more consecutive quarters, or (b) the economic viability of ZTlido and SP-103 is affected significantly as evidenced by documentation and substantial information by any external circumstances deemed detrimental to all parties as agreed to by us, on the one hand, and Oishi and Itochu, on the other hand, and the parties are unable to resolve the concerns under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) after 30 days of good-faith discussion; and (3) in the event of our bankruptcy or assignment for the benefit of creditors. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex’s net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 have not exceeded five percent of net sales. Accordingly, Oishi and Itochu have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, neither Oishi nor Itochu has exercised its right of termination. If the Product Development Agreement and the Commercial Supply Agreement are terminated, we would lose access to the intellectual property and proprietary manufacturing process upon which ZTlido and SP-103 depend.

Under our exclusive Supply Agreement, dated December 17, 2015 (the “Genzyme Supply Agreement”), with Genzyme Corporation (“Genzyme”), we depend on Genzyme to fulfill our clinical and commercial supply requirements for sodium hyaluronate, one of the excipients for SEMDEXA. Genzyme has the right to terminate the Supply Agreement under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to: (1) if we are in material breach of the agreement and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of written notice of such breach, (2) if our development of SEMDEXA is ceased or we do not file for regulatory approval for SEMDEXA by January 1, 2020, or (3) if Genzyme decides to discontinue manufacturing the product at its facility for economic or strategic reasons and provides us with 24 months’ notice. We did not file for regulatory approval for SEMDEXA by January 1, 2020 and we are only aware of a limited number of suppliers of the excipient. Although Genzyme has not exercised its right of termination to date, in the event that it decides to do so, we may not be able to find an alternative supplier of sodium hyaluronate on commercially reasonable terms.

Under our Master Services Agreement, dated January 27, 2017 (as amended, the “Lifecore Master Services Agreement”), with Lifecore Biomedical, LLC (“Lifecore”), we depend on Lifecore to manufacture clinical supplies of SEMDEXA. Lifecore has the right to terminate the Lifecore Master Services Agreement under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to: (1) if we are in material breach of the agreement and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of written notice; (2) if we (a) become insolvent, (b) cease to function as a going concern, (c) become convicted of or plead guilty to a charge of violating any law relating to either party’s business, or (d) engage in any act which materially impairs goodwill associated with SEMDEXA or materially impairs the terminating party’s trademark or trade name; (3) if we fail to pay past due invoices upon 30 days’ written notice, or (4) if we reject or fail to respond to a major change proposed by Lifecore that does not change Semnur’s written and approved acceptance criteria in its product specifications. In the event that Lifecore decides to terminate the Lifecore Master Services Agreement, finding an alternative manufacturer may be difficult.

Under the Master Services Agreement (the “Tulex Master Services Agreement”) and statement of work with Tulex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Tulex”), we depend on Tulex to develop, test and manufacture clinical supplies of SP-104. Tulex has the right to terminate the Tulex Master Services Agreement under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to: (1) if we are in material breach of the agreement or a statement of work and fail to cure such breach within 15 days after receipt of notice of such breach (or such other time period expressly stated in the applicable statement of work) or (2) in the event of our insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation or receivership, or a failure to remove any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation or receivership proceedings within ten days from the date of institution of such proceedings. In addition, we may terminate the agreement or any statement of work (a) without cause upon 30 days prior written notice to Tulex or (b) immediately upon written notice in the event Tulex is dissolved or undergoes a change in control. In the event that the Tulex Master Services Agreement or a statement of work is terminated, we may not be able to find an alternative manufacturer and supplier on commercially reasonable terms.

Additionally, the manufacturing facilities used by our third-party suppliers and manufacturers must continue to comply with FDA regulations and are subject to periodic announced or unannounced inspections. We have limited control over the ability of our third-party suppliers and manufacturers to

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maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. If our third-party suppliers and manufacturers fail to comply with FDA regulations, the FDA may not authorize the manufacture of our products and product candidates at these facilities, and we may be unable to find alternative manufacturing facilities in a timely manner or at all. The failure by such third parties to comply with applicable regulations could result in sanctions being imposed on us, including clinical holds, fines, injunctions, import detention, civil penalties, delays, suspension or withdrawal of approvals, seizures or recalls of our product, operating restrictions and criminal prosecutions.

In addition, our product candidates may compete with other product candidates and products for access to manufacturing facilities and other supplies. There are a limited number of manufacturers that operate under current Good Manufacturing Practices (“cGMP”) regulations and that might be capable of manufacturing for us. Also, prior to the approval of our product candidates, we would need to identify a contract manufacturer that could produce our products at a commercial scale and that could successfully complete FDA pre-approval inspection and inspections by other health authorities. Agreements with such manufacturers or suppliers may not be available to us at the time we would need to have that capability and capacity.

If our commercial supply of ZTlido, clinical supply of our product candidates and certain of the raw materials used in our product candidates are disrupted or delayed, there can be no assurance that alternative sources can serve as adequate replacements or that supplies will be available on terms that are favorable to us, if at all. Any disruption in supply could affect the profitability of ZTlido and the development of SEMDEXA, SP-103 and SP-104.

We rely on a single third-party logistics distribution provider, Cardinal Health, which is also currently our only customer.

We currently rely on Cardinal Health as the third-party logistics distribution provider for ZTlido in the United States. Cardinal Health also performs the following services on our behalf: customer service, credit checks, invoicing, chargebacks, wholesaler fee for service, government reporting, customer returns, accounts receivable, inventory control, product security (DSCSA serialization) inquiries and recall assistance. In the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, Cardinal Health was our only customer and sales to Cardinal Health represented all of our net revenue. Our revenue would likely decline if we are unable to maintain a favorable relationship with Cardinal Health. We may be unable to control the timing of the delivery of ZTlido to wholesalers, and any financial uncertainty or loss of key logistic employees of Cardinal Health may negatively impact our sales. In addition, our dependence on Cardinal Health could result in Cardinal Health’s increased bargaining position and pressure on the prices we charge.

As we continue to expand the commercialization of ZTlido, we have expanded our direct distribution network to national and regional wholesalers and pharmacies in April 2022. We currently hold all necessary wholesaler licenses and commenced selling directly to our main wholesaler customers as well as pharmacies. We discontinued our use of “title model” services provided by Cardinal Health, but expect that Cardinal Health will continue to perform other third-party logistics services for us. Any disruption in the abovementioned distribution channel would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to achieve certain milestones in our Product Development Agreement with Itochu and Oishi, we could lose rights that are important to our business.

Certain of our existing license and supply agreements impose various milestone and other obligations on us. For example, under our Product Development Agreement with Itochu and Oishi, if our total net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 are equal to or less than five percent of our net sales of ZTlido and SP-103 for a period of four or more consecutive quarters, Itochu and Oishi have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement if the parties are unable to resolve the concerns after 30 days of good-faith negotiation. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex’s net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 have not exceeded five percent of net sales. Accordingly, Oishi and Itochu have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, neither Oishi nor Itochu has exercised its right of termination.

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If we fail to achieve the milestones under the Product Development Agreement, we may lose our exclusivity rights or the counterparty may have the right to terminate the agreement, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We currently do not have the ability to independently conduct any clinical trials. The FDA and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions require us to comply with regulations and standards, commonly referred to as good clinical practice (“GCP”) requirements for conducting, monitoring, recording and reporting the results of clinical trials, in order to ensure that the data and results are scientifically credible and accurate and that the trial subjects are adequately informed of the potential risks of participating in clinical trials. We rely on medical institutions, clinical investigators, contract laboratories and other third parties, such as contract research organizations (“CROs”), to conduct GCP-compliant clinical trials of our product candidates properly and on time. While we have agreements governing their activities, we control only certain aspects of their activities and have limited influence over their actual performance. The third parties with whom we contract for execution of our GCP-compliant clinical trials play a significant role in the conduct of these studies and trials and the subsequent collection and analysis of data. These third parties are not our employees and, except for restrictions imposed by our contracts with such third parties, we have limited ability to control the amount and timing of resources that they devote to our programs. Although we rely on these third parties to conduct our GCP-compliant clinical trials, we remain responsible for ensuring that each of our clinical trials is conducted in accordance with our investigational plan and protocol and applicable laws and regulations, and our reliance on the CROs does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities. For any violations of laws and regulations in the conduct of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, we could be subject to warning letters or enforcement actions that may include civil penalties up to and including criminal prosecution.

Many of the third parties with whom we contract may also have relationships with other commercial entities, including our competitors, for whom they may also be conducting clinical trials or other drug development activities that could harm our competitive position. We face the risk of potential unauthorized disclosure or infringement, misappropriation or other violation of our intellectual property by CROs, which may reduce our trade secret and intellectual property protection and allow our potential competitors to access and exploit our proprietary technology.

Further, any of these third parties may terminate their engagements with us or be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. If the third parties conducting our clinical trials do not adequately perform their contractual duties or obligations, experience significant business challenges, disruptions or failures, do not meet expected deadlines, terminate their agreements with us or need to be replaced, or if the quality or accuracy of the data they obtain is compromised due to their failure to adhere to our protocols or to GCPs, or for any other reason, we may need to enter into new arrangements with alternative third parties. This could be difficult, costly or impossible, and our clinical trials may need to be extended, delayed, terminated or repeated. As a result, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval or successful commercialization in a timely fashion, or at all, for the applicable product candidate. Our financial results and the commercial prospects for our product candidates would be harmed, our costs could increase, and our ability to generate revenue could be delayed.

We may in the future enter into collaborations, in-licensing arrangements, joint ventures, or strategic alliances with third-parties that may not result in the development of commercially viable products or the generation of significant future revenues.

Our business is substantially dependent upon the intellectual property licensed from Oishi and Itochu. In the ordinary course of our business, we may enter into collaborations, additional in-licensing arrangements (such as, for example, the Romeg Agreement), joint ventures, or strategic alliances to develop proposed products and to pursue new markets.

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Proposing, negotiating and implementing collaborations, in-licensing arrangements, joint ventures, strategic alliances or partnerships may be a lengthy and complex process. Other companies, including those with substantially greater financial, marketing, sales, technology or other business resources, may compete with us for these opportunities or arrangements. We may not identify, secure or complete any such transactions or arrangements in a timely manner, on a cost-effective basis, on acceptable terms, or at all, and may not realize the anticipated benefits of any such transactions or arrangements.

Additionally, with respect to current and future collaborations, we may not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the transaction or arrangement, which could create the potential risk of creating impasses on decisions, and our collaborators may have economic or business interests or goals that are, or that may become, inconsistent with our business interests or goals. It is possible that conflicts may arise with our collaborators, such as conflicts concerning the achievement of performance milestones, or the interpretation of significant terms under any agreement, such as those related to financial obligations or the ownership or control of intellectual property developed during the collaboration. If any conflicts arise with our current or future collaborators, they may act in their self-interest, which may be adverse to our best interest, and they may breach their obligations to us. In addition, we have limited control over the amount and timing of resources that our current collaborators or any future collaborators devote to our collaborators’ or our future products. Disputes between us and our collaborators may result in litigation or arbitration which would increase our expenses and divert the attention of our management. Further, these transactions and arrangements are contractual in nature and may be terminated or dissolved under the terms of the applicable agreements and, in such event, we may not continue to have rights to the products relating to such transaction or arrangement or may need to purchase such rights at a premium.

Delays in clinical trials could result in increased costs to us and delay our ability to obtain commercial approval and generate additional revenue.

Before obtaining marketing approval for the sale of our product candidates, we must conduct extensive clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our product candidates for their intended indications. Clinical testing is expensive, time-consuming and uncertain as to outcome. We cannot guarantee that any clinical trials will be conducted as planned or completed on schedule, if at all. A failure of one or more clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. Events that may prevent successful or timely completion of clinical development include:

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delays in obtaining regulatory authorizations to commence a clinical trial or reaching a consensus with regulatory authorities on trial design;

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delays in identifying prospective clinical investigators or clinical trial sites that have necessary qualifications, interest and capacity to perform a requested protocol;

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delays in reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and clinical trial sites;

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delays in obtaining approval from one or more institutional review boards (“IRBs”);

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IRBs refusing to approve, suspending or terminating the trial at the investigational site, precluding enrollment of additional subjects, or withdrawing their approval of the trial;

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changes to the clinical trial protocol;

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delays in recruiting suitable subjects to participate in our clinical trials;

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failure by us, any CROs we engage or any other third parties to adhere to clinical trial requirements;

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failure to perform in accordance with GCPs;

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delays in the testing, validation, manufacturing and delivery of our product candidates to the clinical sites, including delays by third parties with whom we have contracted to perform certain of those functions;

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delays in subjects completing participation in a trial or returning for post-treatment follow-up, including, for example, as a result of reluctance to visit medical facilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;

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clinical trial sites or subjects dropping out of a trial;

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lack of adequate funding to continue the trial;

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selection of clinical endpoints that require prolonged periods of clinical observation or analysis of the resulting data;

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subjects experiencing severe or unexpected drug-related adverse effects;

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imposition of a clinical hold by regulatory authorities as a result of a serious adverse event, after an inspection of our clinical trial operations, trial sites or manufacturing facilities, or for other reasons;

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occurrence of serious adverse events in our trials or in trials of the same class of agents conducted by other sponsors;

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changes in regulatory requirements or guidance that require amending or submitting new clinical protocols;

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a facility manufacturing our product candidates or any of their components being ordered by the FDA to temporarily or permanently shut down due to violations of cGMP regulations or other applicable requirements;

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any changes to our manufacturing process that may be necessary or desired;

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third-party clinical investigators losing the licenses or permits necessary to perform our clinical trials, not performing our clinical trials on our anticipated schedule or consistent with the clinical trial protocol, GCP, or other regulatory requirements;

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third-party contractors not performing data collection or analysis in a timely or accurate manner; or

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third-party contractors becoming debarred or suspended or otherwise penalized by the FDA or other government or regulatory authorities for violations of regulatory requirements, in which case we may need to find a substitute contractor, and we may not be able to use some or all of the data produced by subcontractors in support of our marketing applications.

We could also encounter delays if a clinical trial is suspended or terminated by us, by the IRBs of the institutions in which such trials are being conducted, by a Data Safety Monitoring Board for such trial or by the FDA. Such authorities may impose such a suspension or termination due to a number of factors, including failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with regulatory requirements or our clinical protocols, inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial site by the FDA resulting in the imposition of a clinical hold, unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects, participants being exposed to unacceptable health risks, failure to demonstrate a benefit from using a drug, changes in governmental regulations or administrative actions or lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial. In addition, changes in regulatory requirements and policies may occur, and we may need to amend clinical trial protocols to comply with these changes. Amendments may require us to resubmit our clinical trial protocols to IRBs for reexamination, which may impact the costs, timing or successful completion of a clinical trial.

Our product development costs will increase if we experience delays in testing or marketing approvals. The FDA and other regulatory agencies may impose new or refined testing expectations based on experience and increased knowledge over time. In addition, if we make manufacturing or other changes to our product candidates, we may need to conduct additional studies to bridge our modified product candidates to earlier versions. We do not know whether any of our clinical trials, including our planned clinical trials of SP-103, SP-104 and SEMDEXA, will begin or continue as planned, will need to be restructured or will be completed on schedule, or at all. We may not have the necessary capabilities, including adequate staffing, to successfully manage the execution and completion of any clinical trials we initiate in a way that leads to our obtaining marketing approval for our product candidates in a timely manner, or at all. Significant clinical trial delays also could shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our product candidates or allow our competitors to bring products to market before we do and impair our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates.

We face potential business disruptions and related risks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. The COVID-19 outbreak has grown into a

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global pandemic that has impacted countries throughout the world. Financial markets have been experiencing extreme fluctuations that may cause a contraction in available liquidity globally as important segments of the credit markets react to the development. The pandemic may lead to a decline in business and consumer confidence. The global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. As a result, businesses have closed or limited operations and limits have been placed on travel. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact our business, clinical trials and sales of ZTlido will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease and variants, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the disease.

We are monitoring the potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and if COVID-19 or variants of concern continue to spread globally, including in the United States, we may experience disruptions that could severely impact the development of our product candidates, including:

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delays or difficulties in enrolling patients in our clinical trials as patients may be reluctant, or unable, to visit clinical sites;

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delays or difficulties in clinical site initiation, including difficulties in recruiting clinical site investigators, clinical site staff and potential closure of clinical facilities;

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decreases in patients seeking treatment for chronic pain;

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delays in receiving approval from local regulatory authorities to initiate our planned clinical trials;

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delays in clinical sites receiving the supplies and materials needed to conduct our clinical trials, including interruption in global shipping that may affect the transport of clinical trial materials;

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changes in local regulations as part of a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, which may require us to change the ways in which our clinical trials are conducted, which may result in unexpected costs, or cause us to discontinue the clinical trials altogether;

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diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trials, including the diversion of hospitals serving as our clinical trial sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of our clinical trials;

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risk that participants enrolled in our clinical trials will acquire COVID-19 while the clinical trial is ongoing, which could impact the results of the clinical trial, including by increasing the number of observed adverse events;

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delays in necessary interactions with local regulators, ethics committees and other important agencies and contractors due to limitations in employee resources or forced furlough of government employees; and

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interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as clinical trial site monitoring, due to limitations on travel imposed or recommended by federal or state governments, employers and others.

Quarantines, shelter-in-place and similar government orders, or the perception that such orders, shutdowns or other restrictions on the conduct of business operations could occur, related to COVID-19 or other infectious diseases could impact personnel at third-party suppliers in the United States and other countries, or the availability or cost of materials, which would disrupt our supply chain. Any manufacturing supply interruption of materials could adversely affect our ability to conduct ongoing and future research and testing activities. For example, we obtain our commercial supply of ZTlido and our clinical supply of SP-103 exclusively from Oishi and Itochu in Japan. The COVID-19 pandemic may result in delays in the procurement and shipping of ZTlido, which may have an adverse impact on our operating results.

On September 24, 2021, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued written guidance to implement Executive Order 14042, which was signed by President Biden on September 9, 2021. A number of federal courts have issued orders enjoining enforcement of the Executive Order, including one on a nationwide basis. As a result, the government stated that it will take no action to enforce the requirements of the Executive Order at this time. As a federal contractor, we have mandated that all of our employees and, in addition, contractors that enter our U.S. buildings and certain other locations, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19,

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subject to disability and religious exemptions, by December 8, 2021. Despite the government’s no-action position, we continue to comply with the Executive Order. We may experience workforce constraints due to shortages of vaccinated personnel, strains on the labor market, limitations on hiring new employees and difficulty retaining and securing employees who are vaccinated, all of which could negatively affect our business and operations.

The spread of COVID-19, which has caused a broad impact globally, may materially affect us economically. While the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of, COVID-19 may be difficult to assess or predict, a widespread pandemic could result in significant disruption of global financial markets, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could materially affect our business and the value of the New Scilex Common Stock.

In addition, the continued spread of COVID-19 globally could materially and adversely impact our operations, including without limitation, our manufacturing and supply chain, sales and marketing efforts, sales of ZTlido, travel and employee health and availability, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Even if we complete the necessary clinical trials, we cannot predict when, or if, we will obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates and the approval may be for a more narrow indication than we seek.

We cannot commercialize our product candidates until the appropriate regulatory authorities have reviewed and approved the product candidates. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state and local statutes and regulations require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources and we may not be able to obtain the required regulatory approvals. Even if our product candidates meet the safety and efficacy endpoints in clinical trials, the regulatory authorities may not complete their review processes in a timely manner, or we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval. Additional delays may result if an FDA advisory committee, if convened, recommends non-approval or restrictions on approval. In addition, we may experience delays or rejections based upon additional government regulation from future legislation or administrative action or changes in regulatory authority policy or data requirements during the period of product development, clinical trials and the regulatory review process.

Even if we receive regulatory approval, the FDA may approve a product candidate for more limited indications than requested or they may impose significant limitations in the form of narrow indications, warnings or a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (“REMS”). The FDA may require labeling that includes precautions or contra-indications with respect to conditions of use, or may grant approval subject to the performance of costly post-marketing clinical trials. In addition, the FDA may not approve the labeling claims that are necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of our product candidates. Any of the foregoing scenarios could materially harm the commercial prospects for our product candidates.

Additionally, if the results of any clinical trials are inconclusive or if there are safety concerns or serious adverse events associated with our product candidates, we may:

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be delayed or fail in obtaining marketing approval for our product candidates;

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obtain approval for indications or patient populations that are not as broad as we intended or desired;

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obtain approval with labeling that includes significant use or distribution restrictions or safety warnings;

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be subject to changes in the way the products are administered;

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be required to perform additional clinical trials to support approval or be subject to additional post-marketing testing requirements;

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have regulatory authorities withdraw, or suspend, their approval of the product or impose restrictions on its distribution in the form of a modified REMS;

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be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; or

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experience damage to our reputation.

We may find it difficult to enroll or maintain patients in our clinical trials, which could delay or prevent us from proceeding with clinical trials of our product candidates.

Identifying and qualifying patients to participate in any clinical trials of our product candidates is critical to our success. The timing of any clinical trials depends on our ability to recruit patients and to complete required follow-up periods. If patients are unwilling to participate in our clinical trials due to negative publicity from adverse events, competitive clinical trials for similar patient populations, or for other reasons, the timeline for recruiting patients, conducting trials and potentially obtaining regulatory approval may be delayed. We may also experience delays if patients withdraw from a clinical trial or do not complete the required monitoring period. These delays could result in increased costs, delays in advancing our product candidates, delays in testing the effectiveness of our product candidates or termination of clinical trials altogether.

Patient enrollment is affected by many factors, including:

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the size and nature of the patient population;

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the proximity of patients to clinical sites;

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the eligibility and exclusion criteria for the trial;

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the design of the clinical trial;

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competing clinical trials;

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the risk that enrolled patients will not complete a clinical trial;

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ability to monitor patients adequately during and after treatment;

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potential disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including difficulties in initiating clinical sites, enrolling and retaining participants, diversion of healthcare resources away from clinical trials, travel or quarantine policies that may be implemented and other factors;

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our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience; and

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clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages of the product candidate in relation to other available products.

The conditions for which we currently plan to evaluate our product candidates are common but the eligibility criteria of our clinical trials limit the pool of available trial participants. For example, we experienced a delay in the enrollment of our now completed SEMDEXA Phase 3 clinical trial in sciatica due to the selective eligibility criteria in place to reduce the placebo effect and the impacts of COVID-19, and may experience similar issues with enrollment of our other planned clinical trials.

In addition, our clinical trials will compete with other clinical trials for product candidates that are in the same therapeutic areas as our product candidates, and this competition will reduce the number and types of patients available to it, because some patients who have opted to enroll in our trials may instead opt to enroll in a trial being conducted by a competitor. We may conduct some of our clinical trials at the same clinical trial sites that some of our competitors use, which will reduce the number of patients who are available for our clinical trials at such clinical trial sites.

The incidence and prevalence for target patient populations of our product candidates are based on estimates and third-party sources. If the market opportunities for our product candidates are smaller than we estimate or if any approval that we obtain is based on a narrower definition of the patient population, our revenue and ability to achieve profitability might be materially and adversely affected.

Periodically, we make estimates regarding the incidence and prevalence of target patient populations of our product candidates based on various third-party sources and internally generated analyses and use such

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estimates in making decisions regarding our product development strategy, including acquiring or in-licensing product candidates and determining indications on which to focus in preclinical studies or clinical trials.

These estimates may be inaccurate or based on imprecise data. For example, the total addressable market opportunities will depend on, among other things, acceptance by the medical community and patient access, drug pricing and reimbursement. The number of patients in the addressable markets may turn out to be lower than expected, patients may not be otherwise amenable to treatment with our product candidates, or new patients may become increasingly difficult to identify or gain access to, all of which may significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We face significant competition and our competitors may discover, develop or commercialize products faster or more successfully than us.

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by intense competition and rapid technological advances. In addition, the competition in the pain management market, and other relevant markets, is intense.

ZTlido and our product candidate, SP-103, face and will likely face competition from prescription and generic topical lidocaine patches, including Lidoderm® (a branded, prescription 5% lidocaine patch product) (“Lidoderm”) and generic lidocaine patches manufactured by Mylan N.V., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (“Teva”) and Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. Additionally, SP-103, if approved, will likely compete with various opioid pain medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (“NSAIDs”), muscle relaxants, antidepressants and anticonvulsants particularly as we seek approval for the treatment of acute LBP.

SEMDEXA, if approved, has the potential to become the first FDA-approved epidural steroid product for the treatment of sciatica. While there are currently no FDA approved epidural steroid injections indicated for the treatment of sciatica, Scilex is aware of certain non-steroid product candidates in development. SEMDEXA, if approved, also will compete with various opioid pain medications, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and surgical procedures. Procedures may include nerve blocks and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulations. We may also face indirect competition from the off-label and unapproved use of branded and generic injectable steroids.

While there are currently no formulations containing naltrexone in clinical development for the treatment of fibromyalgia, Scilex is aware of certain non-opioid therapeutics currently in a late-stage phase 3 pipeline containing two 505(b)(2) development programs. Our product candidate, SP-104, will likely face direct competition from these candidates.

We expect that the market will become increasingly competitive in the future. Many of our competitors, either alone or together with their collaborative partners, operate larger research and development programs and have substantially greater financial resources than we do, as well as significantly greater experience in: developing product candidates and technologies, undertaking preclinical studies and clinical trials, obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals of product candidates, formulating and manufacturing product candidates, and launching, marketing and selling product candidates.

Additional mergers and acquisitions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries may result in even more resources being concentrated in our competitors. As a result, these companies may obtain regulatory approval more rapidly than we are able to and may be more effective in selling and marketing their products as well. Smaller or early-stage companies or generic or biosimilar pharmaceutical manufacturers may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large, established companies. These competitors also compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel and establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs. Competition may increase further as a result of advances in the commercial applicability of technologies and greater availability of capital for investment in these industries. Our commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors succeed in developing, acquiring or licensing on an exclusive basis, products that are more effective or less costly than any product candidate that we are currently developing or that we may develop.

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If approved, our product candidates will face competition from commercially available drugs as well as drugs that are in the development pipelines of our competitors and later enter the market.

Established pharmaceutical companies may invest heavily to accelerate discovery and development of novel compounds or to in-license novel compounds that could make our product candidates less competitive. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in obtaining patent protection, receiving FDA approval or discovering, developing and commercializing medicines before we do, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The third-party payor coverage and reimbursement status of newly approved products is uncertain. Failure to obtain or maintain coverage and adequate reimbursement for ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates, if approved, could decrease our ability to generate product revenue.

There is significant uncertainty related to the third-party coverage and reimbursement of existing and newly approved products. Market acceptance and sales of ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, if approved, in domestic markets will depend significantly on the availability of coverage and adequacy of reimbursement from third-party payors, including government programs (such as Medicare and Medicaid) and private payor healthcare and insurance programs. In the United States, no uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement for products exists among third-party payors. Coverage and reimbursement for ZTlido can differ significantly from payor to payor, and we may not be able to maintain adequate coverage and reimbursement in the future.

Further, obtaining coverage and reimbursement approval for a product from a government or other third-party payor is a time-consuming and costly process that could require us to provide supporting scientific, clinical and cost-effectiveness data for the use of our products to each third-party payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be obtained or applied consistently. We may not be able to provide data sufficient to gain acceptance with respect to coverage and reimbursement. Additionally, coverage may be more limited than the purposes for which the product is approved by the FDA or similar regulatory authorities outside of the United States. Assuming that coverage is obtained for a given product, the resulting reimbursement rates might not be adequate or may require co-payments or co-insurance that patients find unacceptably high. Patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers may be less likely to prescribe, dispense or use, as applicable, any approved product unless coverage is provided and reimbursement is adequate to cover a significant portion of the cost.

The market for our products will depend significantly on access to third-party payors’ drug formularies for which third-party payors provide coverage and reimbursement. The industry competition to be included in such formularies often leads to downward pricing pressures on pharmaceutical companies. Also, third-party payors may refuse to include a particular branded product in their formularies or otherwise restrict patient access to a branded product when a less costly generic equivalent or other alternative is available.

In addition, even if we obtain adequate levels of reimbursement, third-party payors carefully review and increasingly question the coverage of, and challenge the prices charged for, products. A primary trend in the U.S. healthcare industry and elsewhere is cost containment. Increasingly, third-party payors are requiring that pharmaceutical companies provide them with predetermined discounts from list prices and are challenging the prices for products. We cannot be sure that coverage and reimbursement will be available for any product candidate that we commercialize and, if reimbursement is available, what the level of reimbursement will be. If coverage and reimbursement of our product candidates are unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, we may be unable to achieve or sustain profitability. Furthermore, the requirements governing medical product pricing vary widely from country to country. In some foreign countries, the proposed pricing for a prescription device must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed. Historically, products launched in the European Union do not follow price structures of the United States and generally prices tend to be significantly lower.

Our product candidate SEMDEXA is expected to be a physician-administered injectable viscous gel and as such, separate reimbursement for the product itself may not be available. Instead, if SEMDEXA receives regulatory approval, the administering physician may be reimbursed only for providing the treatment or procedure in which SEMDEXA is used. To the extent separate coverage and reimbursement should

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become available for SEMDEXA, we anticipate that it will be sold to physicians on a “buy and bill” basis. Buy and bill products must be purchased by healthcare providers before they can be administered to patients. Healthcare providers subsequently must seek reimbursement for the product from the applicable third-party payor, such as Medicare or a health insurance company. Healthcare providers may be reluctant to administer our product candidates, if approved, because they would have to fund the purchase of the product and then seek reimbursement, which may be lower than their purchase price, or because they do not want the additional administrative burden required to obtain reimbursement for the product.

Further, the codes used by providers to bill for SEMDEXA, if approved, could also affect reimbursement. J-Codes are codes maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), which are a component of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System and are typically used to report injectable drugs that ordinarily cannot be self-administered. We do not have a specific J-Code for any of our product candidates. If our product candidates are approved, we may apply for one but cannot guarantee that a J-Code will be granted. To the extent separate coverage or reimbursement is available for any product candidate, if approved, and a specific J-Code is not available, physicians would need to use a non-specific miscellaneous J-Code to bill third-party payors for these physician-administered drugs. Because miscellaneous J-Codes may be used for a wide variety of products, health plans may have more difficulties determining the actual product used and billed for the patient. These claims must often be submitted with additional information and manually processed, which can create delays in claims processing times as well as increasing the likelihood for claim denials and claim errors.

Because we have multiple programs and product candidates in our development pipeline and are pursuing a variety of target indications and treatment approaches, we may expend our limited resources to pursue a particular product candidate and fail to capitalize on development opportunities or product candidates that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.

Apart from our FDA-approved product, ZTlido, we currently have several product candidates that are at various stages of development. We have limited financial and management resources. As a result, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with potential target indications or product candidates that later prove to have greater commercial potential than our current and planned development programs and product candidates.

We strive to progress product candidates that can address unmet or underserved medical needs and favor those candidates with large market opportunities. However, our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial product candidates or profitable market opportunities. Our spending on current and future research and development programs and other future product candidates for specific indications may not yield any commercially viable future product candidates. If we do not accurately evaluate the commercial potential or target market for a particular product candidate, we may be required to relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and commercialization rights to such future product candidates.

Additionally, we may pursue additional in-licenses or acquisitions of product candidates or programs, which entails additional risk to us. Identifying, selecting and acquiring promising product candidates requires substantial technical, financial and human resources expertise. Efforts to do so may not result in the actual acquisition or license of a successful product candidate, potentially resulting in a diversion of our management’s time and the expenditure of our resources with no resulting benefit. For example, if we are unable to identify programs that ultimately result in approved products, we may spend material amounts of our capital and other resources evaluating, acquiring and developing products that ultimately do not provide a return on our investment.

Drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results.

Clinical testing is expensive, difficult to design and implement, and can take many years to complete, in part because it is subject to rigorous regulatory requirements. The FDA or other regulatory authorities may not agree with the proposed analysis plans or trial design for the clinical trials of our product candidates. They may also not agree with the scope of our proposed investigational plan. In addition, the outcome of our

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clinical trials is risky and uncertain. Failure can occur at any time during the clinical trial process. The results of preclinical studies and early clinical trials may not be predictive of the results of later-stage clinical trials. Product candidates in later stages of clinical trials may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy traits despite having progressed through preclinical studies and initial clinical trials. It is not uncommon for companies in the pharmaceutical industry to suffer significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials due to lack of efficacy or adverse safety profiles, notwithstanding promising results in earlier trials. Our future clinical trial results may not be successful.

This product candidate development risk is heightened by any changes in the planned clinical trials compared to the completed clinical trials. As product candidates are developed through preclinical to early and late stage clinical trials towards approval and commercialization, it is customary that various aspects of the development program, such as manufacturing and methods of administration, are altered along the way in an effort to optimize processes and results. While these types of changes are common and are intended to optimize the product candidates for late stage clinical trials, approval and commercialization, such changes carry the risk that they will not achieve their intended objectives.

A Phase 3 trial was completed for SEMDEXA for the treatment of sciatica, a Phase 2 trial commenced in the second quarter of 2022 for SP-103, and multiple Phase 1 trials were initiated in the first quarter of 2022 for SP-104. We may not have the necessary capabilities, including adequate staffing, to successfully manage the execution and completion of such clinical trials in a way that leads to our obtaining marketing approval for our product candidates in a timely manner, or at all. Our clinical trials may produce negative or inconclusive results, and, in the future, we may decide, or regulators may require us, to conduct additional clinical trials and preclinical studies in addition to those we have planned.

In March 2022, we announced final results from our Phase 3 trial for SEMDEXA, which results reflect achievement of primary and secondary endpoints, and we intend to use the results to support an NDA submission seeking approval for the treatment of sciatica. However, the FDA may disagree with our assumptions and require us to conduct an additional Phase 3 trial before submitting an NDA. Our failure to adequately demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of our product candidates would prevent receipt of regulatory clearance or approval and, ultimately, the commercialization of that product or indication for use.

From time to time, we may publish interim “top-line” or preliminary data from our clinical trials, which are based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data. Preliminary or interim data from clinical trials that we may complete are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues and more patient data become available. Preliminary or interim data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data we previously published. In some instances, there can be significant variability in safety or efficacy results between different clinical trials or clinical trial sites for the same product candidate due to numerous factors, including changes in trial procedures set forth in protocols, differences in the size and type of the patient populations, changes in and adherence to the dosing regimen and other clinical trial procedures and the rate of dropout among clinical trial participants. As a result, interim and preliminary data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available. Adverse differences between preliminary or interim data and final data could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Further, others, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approvability or commercialization of the particular product candidate or product and our company in general. Data disclosures must be carefully managed to conform to limitations on preapproval promotion and laws related to clinical trial registration and posting of results. In addition, the information we choose to publicly disclose regarding a particular study or clinical trial is based on what is typically extensive information, and stockholders may not agree with what we determine is the material or otherwise appropriate information to include in our disclosure, and any information we determine not to disclose may ultimately be deemed significant with respect to future

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decisions, conclusions, views, activities or otherwise regarding a particular drug, product, product candidate or our business. If the “top-line” data that we report differ from actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize, our product candidates may be harmed, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our clinical trials may fail to demonstrate substantial evidence of the safety and efficacy of product candidates that we may identify and pursue for their intended uses, which would prevent, delay or limit the scope of regulatory approval and commercialization.

Before obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any of our product candidates, we must demonstrate through lengthy, complex and expensive non-clinical studies, pre-clinical studies and clinical trials that the applicable product candidate is both safe and effective for use in each target indication. Each product candidate must demonstrate an adequate risk versus benefit profile in its intended patient population and for its intended use.

Clinical testing is expensive and can take many years to complete, and its outcome is inherently uncertain. Failure can occur at any time during the clinical development process. Most product candidates that begin clinical trials are never approved by regulatory authorities for commercialization.

We cannot be certain that our current clinical trials or any other future clinical trials will be successful. Additionally, any safety concerns observed in any one of our clinical trials in our targeted indications could limit the prospects for regulatory approval of our product candidates in those and other indications, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, even if such clinical trials are successfully completed, we cannot guarantee that the FDA or comparable non-U.S. regulatory authorities will interpret the results as we do, and more trials could be required before we submit our product candidates for approval. To the extent that the results of the trials are not satisfactory to the FDA or comparable non-U.S. regulatory authorities for support of a marketing approval, we may be required to expend significant resources, which may not be available to us, to conduct additional trials in support of potential approval of our product candidates. Even if regulatory approval is secured for a product candidate, the terms of such approval may limit the scope and use of the specific product candidate, which may also limit its commercial potential.

Even if we obtain FDA approval for any of our product candidates in the United States, we may never obtain approval for or commercialize any of them in any other jurisdiction, which would limit our ability to realize their full market potential.

In order to market any products in any particular jurisdiction, we must establish and comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements on a country-by-country basis regarding safety and efficacy.

Approval by the FDA in the United States does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions. However, the failure to obtain approval in one jurisdiction may negatively impact our ability to obtain approval elsewhere. In addition, clinical trials conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries, and regulatory approval in one country does not guarantee regulatory approval in any other country. In cases where data from United States clinical trials are intended to serve as the basis for marketing approval in the foreign countries, the standards for clinical trials and approval may be different.

Approval processes vary among countries and can involve additional product testing and validation and additional administrative review periods. Seeking foreign regulatory approval could result in difficulties and increased costs for us and require additional preclinical studies or clinical trials, which could be costly and time-consuming. Regulatory requirements can vary widely from country to country and could delay or prevent the introduction of our products in those countries. If we fail to comply with regulatory requirements in international markets or to obtain and maintain required approvals, or if regulatory approvals in international markets are delayed, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential of any product we develop will be impeded.

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Our business may suffer reputational harm due to failures of our product candidates.

The failure of any of our product candidates could have a lasting negative impact on our reputation, which could, in turn, impact our ability to successfully enter into future licensing arrangements or other transactions with potential counterparties, raise future capital or attract key personnel to join us. As a result, our business and prospects would be materially harmed and our results of operations and financial condition would likely suffer materially.

ZTlido and GLOPERBA may have undesirable properties that could result in significant negative consequences, and our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval.

As is the case with pharmaceuticals generally, it is likely that there may be side effects and adverse events associated with ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates. In the event that ZTlido or GLOPERBA is identified to have undesirable side effects, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could occur. Regulatory authorities may withdraw their approval of the product or seize the product. Restrictions may be imposed on the manufacturing or marketing of ZTlido or GLOPERBA or any component thereof, including the imposition of a REMS plan that may require creation of a Medication Guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients, as well as elements to assure safe use of the product, such as a patient registry and training and certification of prescribers. Any of these events could damage our reputation and prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of ZTlido or GLOPERBA.

In the clinical trials we conduct with our product candidates, patients may experience changes in their health, including illnesses, injuries, discomforts or a fatal outcome. Often, it is not possible to determine whether the product candidate being studied caused or was associated with these conditions. In addition, it is possible that as we test our clinical products in larger, longer and more extensive clinical programs, or as use of these product candidates becomes more widespread if they receive regulatory approval, illnesses, injuries, discomforts and other adverse events that were observed in earlier clinical trials, as well as conditions that did not occur or went undetected in previous clinical trials, will be reported by subjects. Many times, side effects are only detectable after investigational products are tested in large-scale, Phase 3 clinical trial.

In the event that our product candidates reveal an unacceptable severity and prevalence of these or other side effects, the clinical trials could be suspended or terminated and the FDA could order us to cease further development of or deny approval of our product candidates, for any or all targeted indications. The drug-related side effects could affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial or result in potential product liability claims. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and results of operations significantly.

ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates are complex and difficult to manufacture. We could experience delays in satisfying regulatory authorities or manufacturing problems that result in delays in our development or commercialization programs, limit the supply of our product candidates, or otherwise harm our business.

We currently depend on contract manufacturers to conduct the manufacturing and supply activities for ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates. Manufacturing these product candidates require facilities specifically designed for and validated for this purpose and sophisticated quality assurance and quality control procedures are necessary. Several factors could cause production interruptions, including equipment malfunctions, facility contamination, raw material shortages or contamination, natural disasters, disruption in utility services, human error or disruptions in the operations of our suppliers.

If contaminations are discovered in our supply of ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates or in the manufacturing facilities, such manufacturing facilities may need to be closed for an extended period of time to investigate and remedy the contamination. We may not be successful in securing additional sources at all or on a timely basis, which could materially harm our development timelines. Any delay or interruption in the supply of clinical trial supplies could delay the completion of clinical trials, increase the costs associated with maintaining clinical trial programs and, depending upon the period of delay, require us to begin new clinical trials at additional expense or terminate clinical trials completely.

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In addition, there are risks associated with large scale manufacturing for clinical trials or commercial scale including, among others, cost overruns, potential problems with process scale-up, process reproducibility, stability issues, compliance with cGMP, lot consistency and timely availability of raw materials. Slight deviations in the manufacturing process, including those affecting quality attributes and stability, may result in unacceptable changes in the product that could result in lot failures or product recalls. Lot failures or product recalls could cause us to delay clinical trials or product launches, which could be costly to us and otherwise harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Furthermore, our manufacturers may encounter problems hiring and retaining the experienced scientific, quality assurance, quality-control and manufacturing personnel needed to operate our complex manufacturing processes, which could result in delays in production or difficulties in maintaining compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Any problems in our manufacturing process or facilities could make us a less attractive collaborator for potential partners, including larger biotechnology companies and academic research institutions, which could limit our access to additional attractive development programs. Problems in our manufacturing process could restrict our ability to meet potential future market demand for products, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Business and Operations

There are risks to Vickers’s shareholders who are not affiliates of the Sponsor and become stockholders of New Scilex through the Business Combination rather than acquiring securities of Scilex directly in an underwritten public offering, including no independent due diligence review by an underwriter and conflicts of interest of the Sponsor.

New Scilex intends to apply to list its shares and warrants on Nasdaq, but the Business Combination is different from a traditional underwritten initial public offering. Among other things, there is no independent third-party underwriter selling the shares of New Scilex Common Stock, and, accordingly, the scope of due diligence conducted in conjunction with the Business Combination may be different than would typically be conducted in the event Scilex pursued an underwritten initial public offering. Before entering into the Merger Agreement, Vickers and Scilex performed a due diligence review of each other’s business, operations and disclosure. However, in a typical initial public offering, the underwriters of the offering conduct independent due diligence on the company to be taken public, and following the offering, the underwriters are subject to liability to private investors for any material misstatements or omissions in the registration statement. Due diligence reviews typically include an independent investigation of the background of the company, any advisors and their respective affiliates, review of the offering documents and independent analysis of the plan of business and any underlying financial assumptions. The lack of an independent due diligence review and investigation means that you must rely on the information included in this proxy statement/prospectus. Further, while potential investors in an initial public offering typically have a private right of action against the underwriters of the offering for any such material misstatements or omissions, there are no underwriters of New Scilex Common Stock that will be issued pursuant to the Business Combination and thus no corresponding right of action is available to investors in the Business Combination, for any material misstatements or omissions in this proxy statement/prospectus. Therefore, as an investor in the Business Combination, you may be exposed to increased risk when compared to investing in a traditional underwritten initial public offering.

If we are unable to retain our key executives, it may delay our development efforts and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our industry has experienced a high rate of turnover of management personnel in recent years. If we are not able to attract, retain and motivate key executives to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience constraints that will significantly impede our ability to raise additional capital and our ability to implement our overall business strategy. In particular, we are highly dependent upon our executive officers, including Jaisim Shah, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Ji, Ph.D., our Executive Chairperson, Elizabeth Czerepak, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer, Suketu D. Desai, Ph.D., our Chief Technical Officer, Suresh K. Khemani, our Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Dmitri Lissin, M.D., our Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.

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The loss of services of these executive officers could delay or prevent the successful development of our product pipeline, completion of our planned clinical trials and the successful commercialization of ZTlido and GLOPERBA.

Competition for key executives in the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals field is intense, due to the limited number of individuals who possess the skills and experience required by our industry. Many of the pharmaceutical companies against which we compete for qualified personnel have greater financial and other resources, different risk profiles and a longer history in the industry than we do. They may also provide more diverse opportunities and better chances for career advancement. Some of these characteristics may be more appealing to qualified candidates than what we have to offer. In addition, we may experience employee turnover as a result of the ongoing “great resignation” occurring throughout the U.S. economy, which has impacted job market dynamics. New hires require training and take time before they achieve full productivity. New employees may not become as productive as we expect, and we may be unable to hire or retain sufficient numbers of qualified individuals. Moreover, we conduct our operations in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region that is home to many other biopharmaceutical companies as well as many academic and research institutions, resulting in fierce competition for qualified personnel. As such, we could have difficulty attracting and retaining experienced executives and may be required to expend significant financial resources in our recruitment and retention efforts.

We may need to increase the size of our company and may not effectively manage our growth.

As of March 31, 2022, we had approximately 76 full-time employees. We may need to continue to expand our managerial, operational, sales and marketing, finance and other resources in order to manage our operations, clinical trials, research and development activities, regulatory filings, manufacturing and supply activities, and any marketing and commercialization activities, including co-promotion activities. Future growth would impose significant added responsibilities on members of management, including:

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identifying, recruiting, integrating, maintaining and motivating additional employees;

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managing our internal development efforts effectively, including the clinical, FDA and internal regulatory review process for our product candidates, while complying with our contractual obligations to contractors and other third parties; and

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improving our operational, financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures.

Our future financial performance and our ability to commercialize our product candidates will depend, in part, on our ability to effectively manage any future growth, if any, which may cause a significant strain on our management, and our operational, financial and other resources. Our ability to manage our growth effectively will require us to implement and improve our operational, financial and management systems and to expand, train, manage and motivate our employees. These demands may require the hiring of additional management personnel and the development of additional expertise by management. Any increase in resources devoted to research and product development without a corresponding increase in our operational, financial and management systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our insurance policies are expensive and protect us only from some business risks, which leaves us exposed to significant uninsured liabilities.

Although we endeavor to obtain appropriate insurance coverage for insurable risks that we identify, we do not carry insurance for all categories of risk that our business may encounter.

Insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive. We have observed rapidly changing conditions in the insurance markets relating to nearly all areas of traditional corporate insurance. Such conditions have resulted in higher premium costs, higher policy deductibles and lower coverage limits. We may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost, or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses due to liability. While we maintain property, casualty and general liability coverage, we do not carry specific biological or hazardous waste insurance coverage and our insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for damages and fines arising from biological or hazardous waste exposure or contamination. Accordingly,

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in the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or be penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources, and our clinical trials or regulatory approvals could be suspended.

We do not know if we will be able to maintain existing insurance with adequate levels of coverage. Any significant uninsured liability may require us to pay substantial amounts, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit commercialization of our product candidates.

Manufacturing and marketing of ZTlido and clinical testing of our product candidates may expose us to individual product liability claims, class action lawsuits or actions, and other individual or mass tort claims. For example, we may be sued if any product we develop allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. In addition, physicians may misuse our products with their patients if they are not adequately trained, potentially leading to injury and increased risk of product liability. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of risks inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our product candidates, if approved. Even successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

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loss of revenue from product sales;

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decreased demand for our product candidates or products that we develop;

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injury to our reputation;

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withdrawal of clinical trial participants;

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initiation of investigations by regulators;

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restrictions on labeling, the marketing or manufacturing of the product, withdrawal of the product from the market or voluntary or mandatory product recalls;

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costs to defend the related litigation;

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a diversion of management’s time and our resources;

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substantial monetary awards to trial participants or patients; and

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the inability to commercialize our product candidates.

Our inability to obtain and maintain sufficient product liability insurance at an acceptable cost and scope of coverage to protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of any products we develop. We currently carry product liability insurance covering use in our clinical trials in the amount of $10.0 million in the aggregate. Although we maintain such insurance, any claim that may be brought against us could result in a court judgment or settlement in an amount that is not covered, in whole or in part, by our insurance or that is in excess of the limits of our insurance coverage. Our insurance policies also have various exclusions and deductibles, and we may be subject to a product liability claim for which we have no coverage. We will have to pay any amounts awarded by a court or negotiated in a settlement that exceed our coverage limitations or that are not covered by our insurance, and we may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient capital to pay such amounts. Moreover, in the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses.

Any disruption in our research and development facilities could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our principal executive offices are in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Our facilities may be affected by natural or man-made disasters. Earthquakes are of particular significance since our facilities are

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located in an earthquake-prone area. We are also vulnerable to damage from other types of disasters, including power loss, attacks from extremist organizations, fires, floods and similar events. If our facilities are affected by a natural or man-made disaster, we may be forced to curtail our operations and/or rely on third-parties to perform some or all of our research and development activities. Although we believe we possess adequate insurance for damage to our property and the disruption of our business from casualties, such insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of our potential losses and may not continue to be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. In the future, we may choose to expand our operations in either our existing facilities or in new facilities. If we expand our worldwide manufacturing locations, there can be no assurance that this expansion will occur without implementation difficulties, or at all.

We may seek to grow our business through acquisitions and may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, and acquisitions can be costly and dilutive.

Our success depends on our ability to continually enhance and broaden our product offerings in response to changing customer demands, competitive pressures, technologies and market pressures. Accordingly, from time to time we may expand our business and intellectual property portfolio through the acquisition of new businesses and technologies. We cannot assure that we will achieve anticipated benefits from any acquisition to justify the transaction.

Competition within our industry for acquisitions of businesses, technologies and assets may become intense. Even if we are able to identify an acquisition that we would like to consummate, we may not be able to complete the acquisition on commercially reasonable terms or the target may be acquired by another company. We may enter into negotiations for acquisitions that are not ultimately consummated. Those negotiations could result in diversion of management time and significant out-of-pocket costs.

The success of any acquisition depends on, among other things, our ability to combine our business with an acquired business in a manner that does not materially disrupt existing relationships and that allows us to achieve development and operational synergies. If we are unable to achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of an acquisition may not be realized fully, or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected. In particular, if we undertake such a transaction, we may issue dilutive securities, assume or incur debt obligations, incur large one-time expenses or acquire intangible assets that could result in significant future amortization expenses. As a result, an acquisition may not be accretive to our stock value or development pipeline in the near or long term.

We expect to incur higher development and regulatory costs, and additional costs integrating the operations and personnel of any companies we acquire, which cannot be estimated accurately at this time. If the total costs of the integration of our companies and advancement of acquired product candidates and technologies exceed the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

International components of our business expose us to business, legal, regulatory, political, operational, financial and economic risks associated with conducting business outside of the United States.

We currently collaborate with international manufacturing partners and may potentially expand our business internationally in the future. The purchase and shipment of components from international sources subjects us to U.S. and foreign governmental trade, import and export, and customs regulations and laws.

Compliance with these regulations and laws is costly and exposes us to penalties for non-compliance. Other laws and regulations that can significantly impact us include various anti-bribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), as well as export controls laws. Any failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations could impact us in a variety of ways that include, but are not limited to, significant criminal, civil and administrative penalties, including imprisonment of individuals, fines and penalties, denial of export privileges, seizure of shipments, restrictions on certain business activities and exclusion or debarment from government contracting.

Conducting business internationally involves a number of risks, including:

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multiple, sometimes conflicting and changing laws and regulations such as tax laws, export and import restrictions, employment laws, anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, regulatory requirements and other governmental approvals, permits and licenses;

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difficulties in enforcing our intellectual property rights and in defending against third-party threats and intellectual property enforcement actions against us, our distributors or any of our third-party suppliers;

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failure by us or our distributors to obtain appropriate licenses or regulatory approvals for the sale or use of our product candidates, if approved, in various countries;

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difficulties in managing foreign operations;

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foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

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changes in duties and tariffs, license obligations and other non-tariff barriers to trade;

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the imposition of new trade restrictions;

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difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems;

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complexities associated with managing multiple payor-reimbursement regimes or self-pay systems;

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natural disasters, political and economic instability, including wars, terrorism and political unrest, outbreak of disease, boycotts, curtailment of trade and other business restrictions; and

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failure to comply with the FCPA, including its books and records provisions and its anti-bribery provisions, and similar anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in other jurisdictions, for example by failing to maintain accurate information and control over sales or distributors’ activities.

Any of these risks, if encountered, could significantly harm our future international expansion and operations and, consequently, negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The increasing use of social media platforms presents new risks and challenges.

Social media is increasingly being used to communicate about our research, product candidates, investigational medicines and the diseases our product candidates and investigational medicines are being developed to treat. Social media practices in the biopharmaceutical industry continue to evolve and regulations relating to such use are not always clear. This evolution creates uncertainty and risk of non-compliance with regulations applicable to our business, resulting in potential regulatory actions against us. For example, patients may use social media channels to comment on their experience in an ongoing blinded clinical study or to report an alleged adverse event. When such disclosures occur, there is a risk that we may fail to monitor and comply with applicable adverse event reporting obligations or we may not be able to defend our business or the public’s legitimate interests in the face of the political and market pressures generated by social media due to restrictions on what we may say about our product candidates. There is also a risk of inappropriate disclosure of sensitive information or negative or inaccurate posts or comments about us on any social networking website. Furthermore, our employees, affiliates and/or business partners may use social media for their personal use, and their activities on social media or in other forums could result in adverse publicity for us. Any negative publicity as a result of social media posts, whether or not such claims are accurate, could adversely impact us. If any of these events were to occur or we otherwise fail to comply with applicable regulations, we could incur liability, face regulatory actions, or incur other harm to our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business and operations would suffer in the event of system failures.

Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our CROs and other contractors and consultants are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cybersecurity attacks or hacking, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. While we have not experienced any such system failure, accident or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our product development programs or a loss of our trade secrets or other proprietary information. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or ongoing or planned clinical trials could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of or damage to our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we

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could incur material legal claims and liability, damage to our reputation, suffer loss or harm to our intellectual property rights and the further research, development and commercial efforts of ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, if approved, could be delayed. If we are held liable for a claim against which we are not insured or for damages exceeding the limits of our insurance coverage, whether arising out of cybersecurity matters, or from some other matter, that claim could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Further, a cybersecurity attack, data breach or privacy violation that leads to disclosure or modification of, or prevents access to, patient information, including personally identifiable information or protected health information, could harm our reputation, compel us to comply with federal and/or state breach notification laws and foreign law equivalents, subject us to mandatory corrective action, require us to verify the correctness of database contents and otherwise subject us to liability under laws and regulations that protect personal data, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenue. Our ability to effectively manage and maintain our internal business information, and to ship products to customers and invoice them on a timely basis, depends significantly on our enterprise resource planning system and other information systems. Portions of our information technology systems may experience interruptions, delays or cessations of service or produce errors in connection with ongoing systems implementation work. Cybersecurity attacks in particular are evolving and include, but are not limited to, threats, malicious software, ransom ware, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in systems, misappropriation of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data. If we are unable to prevent such cybersecurity attacks, data security breaches or privacy violations or implement satisfactory remedial measures, our operations could be disrupted, and we may suffer loss of reputation, governmental investigations, claims or litigation that may not be covered by insurance, financial loss and other regulatory penalties because of lost or misappropriated information, including sensitive patient data. In addition, these breaches and other inappropriate access can be difficult to detect, and any delay in identifying them may lead to increased harm of the type described above.

Unstable market and economic conditions may have serious adverse consequences on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

As widely reported, global credit and financial markets have experienced volatility and disruptions in the past several years and especially in 2020 and 2021 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates and uncertainty about economic stability. For example, an overall decrease in or loss of insurance coverage among individuals in the United States as a result of unemployment, underemployment or the repeal of certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “ACA”), may decrease the demand for healthcare services and pharmaceuticals. If fewer patients seek medical care because they do not have insurance coverage, we may experience difficulties in any eventual commercialization of our product candidates and our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected.

There can be no assurances that further deterioration in credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions will not occur. Our general business strategy may be adversely affected by any such economic downturn, volatile business environment or continued unpredictable and unstable market conditions. If the current equity and credit markets deteriorate, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult, more costly and more dilutive. Failure to secure any necessary financing in a timely manner and on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy, financial performance and price of our common stock, and could require us to delay or abandon clinical development plans.

Our ability to effectively monitor and respond to the rapid and ongoing developments and expectations relating to the environmental, social and governance matters, including related social expectations and concerns, may impose unexpected costs or results in reputational or other harm that could have a material adverse effect on our business.

There is an increasing focus from certain investors, employees, regulators, listing exchanges and other stakeholders concerning corporate responsibility and sustainability matters, specifically related to

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environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors. Some investors and investor advocacy groups may use these factors to guide investment strategies and, in some cases, investors may choose not to invest in us if they believe our policies relating to corporate responsibility are inadequate. Third-party providers of corporate responsibility ratings and reports on companies have increased to meet growing investor demand for measurement of corporate responsibility performance, and a variety of organizations currently measure the performance of companies on such ESG topics, and the results of these assessments are widely publicized. Investors, particularly institutional investors, use these ratings to benchmark companies against their peers, and major institutional investors have publicly emphasized the importance of ESG measures to their investment decisions. Topics taken into account in such assessments include, among others, companies’ efforts and impacts on climate change and human rights, ethics and compliance with law, diversity and the role of companies’ board of directors in supervising various sustainability issues. In light of investors’ increased focus on ESG matters, if we are perceived as lagging with respect to ESG initiatives, these investors may engage with us to improve ESG disclosures or performance and may also make voting decisions, or take other actions, to hold us and the New Scilex Board accountable.

In addition, there are rapid and ongoing developments and changing expectations relating to ESG matters, and the criteria by which our corporate responsibility practices are assessed may change, which could result in greater expectations of us and cause us to undertake costly initiatives to satisfy such new criteria. If we elect not to or are unable to adequately recognize and respond to such developments and governmental, societal, investor and consumer expectations relating to such ESG matters, we may miss corporate opportunities, become subject to additional scrutiny or incur unexpected costs. We may face risk of litigation or reputational damage in the event that our corporate responsibility procedures or standards do not meet the standards set by various constituencies.

We may also face reputational damage if we are unable to achieve an acceptable ESG or sustainability rating from third-party rating services. A low ESG or sustainability rating by a third-party rating service could also result in the exclusion of New Scilex Common Stock from consideration by certain investors who may elect to invest with our competitors instead. Ongoing focus on corporate responsibility matters by investors and other parties as described above may impose additional costs or expose us to new risks. Any failure or perceived failure by us in this regard could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and on our business, financial condition or results of operations, including the sustainability of our business over time, and could cause the market value of New Scilex Common Stock to decline.

Further, our emphasis on ESG issues may not maximize short-term financial results and may yield financial results that conflict with the market’s expectations. We may in the future make business decisions that may reduce our short-term financial results if we believe that the decisions are consistent with our ESG goals, which we believe will improve our financial results over the long-term. These decisions may not be consistent with the short-term expectations of our stockholders and may not produce the long-term benefits that we expect, in which case our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Intellectual Property

Our business is substantially dependent upon the intellectual property licensed from Oishi and Itochu. Pursuant to the Product Development Agreement, we have been granted an exclusive, worldwide license (except with respect to Japan) under current and future intellectual property rights relating to ZTlido and SP-103 lidocaine tape products and the lidocaine in such products, including, among other things: (1) any patent applications, continuation applications, any issued or issuing patents, as well as any foreign patent applications, (2) all know-how, work product, trade secrets, invents, data, processes, techniques, procedures, compositions, devices, methods, formulas, protocols and information, whether patentable or not, (3) copyrightable works, copyrights and applications, registrations and renewals, (4) logos, trademarks, service marks, and all applications and registrations relating thereto, (5) other proprietary rights, (6) abbreviated new drug applications or other applications to market, and (7) any regulatory exclusivities or supplemental protection certificates. Our ability to commercialize ZTlido and develop SP-103 depends on

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the effectiveness and continuation of the Product Development Agreement. If we lose the right to license the intellectual property rights granted by the Product Development Agreement, our ability to develop ZTlido and SP-103 as well as new product candidates based on the licensed intellectual property would be harmed.

The Product Development Agreement imposes various development, regulatory and/or commercial diligence obligations, payments and other obligations. Oishi and Itochu have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement under certain circumstances, including, among other things: (1) if we are in material breach of the agreement and the breach is not curable or if the breach is curable and we fail to cure such material breach within 180 days after notice requesting to cure; (2) if, at any time during the term of the Product Development Agreement, the market conditions are such that (a) our total net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 are equal to or less than five percent of our net sales of ZTlido and SP-103 for a period of four or more consecutive quarters, or (b) the economic viability of ZTlido and SP-103 is affected significantly as evidenced by documentation and substantial information by any external circumstances deemed detrimental to all parties as agreed to by us, on the one hand, and Oishi and Itochu, on the other hand, and the parties are unable to resolve the concerns under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) after 30 days of good-faith discussion; and (3) in the event of our bankruptcy or assignment for the benefit of creditors. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex’s net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 have not exceeded five percent of net sales. Accordingly, Oishi and Itochu have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, neither Oishi nor Itochu has exercised its right of termination. If the Product Development Agreement is terminated for certain reasons, such as our material breach of the agreement, our bankruptcy, or lack of economic viability, we will be required to transfer all licensed intellectual property rights, including those relating to ZTlido and SP-103, to Oishi and Itochu or their designee, at our own cost and expense. The loss of such licenses could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We recently entered into the Romeg Agreement for the in-licensing of certain intellectual property rights from Romeg with respect to the commercialization of GLOPERBA. Pursuant to the Romeg Agreement, we have been granted (1) the right to manufacture, promote, market, distribute and sell pharmaceutical products comprising liquid formulations of colchicine for the prophylactic treatment of gout in adult humans in the United States and (2) an exclusive, transferable license to use the trademark “GLOPERBA.” Under the Romeg Agreement, among other things, Romeg granted us (1) a transferable license, with the right to sublicense, under the patents and know-how specified therein to (a) commercialize the pharmaceutical product comprising liquid formulations of colchicine for the prophylactic treatment of gout in adult humans (the “Initial Licensed Product”) in the United States (including its territories) (the “Territory”), (b) develop other products comprising the Initial Licensed Product as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (together with the Initial Licensed Product, the “Licensed Products”) and commercialize any such products and (c) manufacture Licensed Products anywhere in the world, solely for commercialization in the Territory; and (2) an exclusive, transferable license, with right to sublicense, to use the trademark “GLOPERBA” and logos, designs, translations, and modifications thereof in connection with the commercialization of the Initial Licensed Product solely in the Territory. The license to know-how is exclusive for purposes of developing and commercializing Licensed Products in the Territory during the royalty term, but is otherwise non-exclusive. The license to patents is exclusive for purposes of developing and commercializing Licensed Products in the Territory until July 1, 2027 and, thereafter, is co-exclusive with Granules Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the royalty term for such purposes. The royalty term begins on the date of the agreement and ends on the later of (i) expiration of the last to expire of the patents that covers the manufacture or commercialization of the Licensed Products in the Territory or (ii) the tenth anniversary of the date of the Romeg Agreement. Our ability to commercialize GLOPERBA and develop Licensed Products depends on the effectiveness and continuation of the Romeg Agreement. If we lose the right to license the intellectual property rights granted by the Romeg Agreement, our ability to develop GLOPERBA as well as new product candidates based on the licensed intellectual property would be harmed.

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The Romeg Agreement imposes various development, regulatory and/or commercial diligence obligations, payments and other obligations. Romeg has the right to terminate the Romeg Agreement under certain circumstances, including, among other things: (a) in the event we are in material breach of the Romeg Agreement, unless we have cured any such breach within 60 days after any notice thereof was provided; (b) upon notice to us, if we fail to timely pay any milestone payment, percentage royalties or minimum quarterly royalties or fail to timely deliver the requisite quarterly report, which termination will be effective 30 days after the date of such notice, unless we have made such payment in full or delivered such quarterly report within such 30 day period; (c) immediately, if we challenge the licensed patents under any court action or proceeding or before any patent office or assist any third party to conduct any of these activities; (d) by written notice to us if sales of Licensed Products do not commence or continue within specified periods agreed to by the parties; or (e) in the event of our bankruptcy or assignment for the benefit of creditors. If the Romeg Agreement is terminated for certain reasons, such as our material breach of the agreement, our bankruptcy, or our failure to timely pay milestone payments, we will be required upon Romeg’s request to transfer all licensed intellectual property rights, including those relating to the GLOPERBA and the Licensed Products, to Romeg or their designee, within thirty days after the termination of the Romeg Agreement at a price to be agreed upon by the parties. The loss of such licenses could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Potential disputes over intellectual property rights that we have licensed may prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current licensing arrangements on acceptable terms.

Licensing of intellectual property rights is of high importance to our business and involves complex legal, business and scientific issues. Disputes may arise between us and our licensors regarding intellectual property rights subject to a license agreement, including:

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the scope of rights granted under the license agreement and other interpretation-related issues;

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our financial or other obligations under the license agreement;

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whether and the extent to which our technology and processes infringe on intellectual property rights of the licensor that are not subject to the licensing agreement;

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our right to sublicense intellectual property rights to third parties under collaborative development relationships;

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our diligence obligations with respect to the use of the licensed technology in relation to our development and commercialization of our product candidates, and what activities satisfy those diligence obligations; and

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the ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our licensors and us and our partners.

If disputes over intellectual property rights that we have licensed prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current licensing arrangements on acceptable terms, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. We may enter into additional licenses in the future and if we fail to comply with obligations under those agreements, we could suffer adverse consequences.

Furthermore, if our licenses are terminated, or if the underlying patents fail to provide the intended exclusivity, competitors or other third parties would have the freedom to seek regulatory approval of, and to market, products identical or competitive to ours and we may be required to cease our development and commercialization of certain of our product candidates, if approved. Moreover, if disputes over intellectual property that we license prevent or impair our ability to maintain other licensing arrangements on commercially acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to maintain patent protection for ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, or if the scope of the patent protection obtained is not sufficiently broad, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets.

We rely upon a combination of patents, trademarks, trade secret protection, and confidentiality agreements to protect the intellectual property related to ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates.

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Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection in the United States, for GLOPERBA, and in the United States and other countries with respect to ZTlido and our product candidates. We seek to protect our proprietary position by filing and/or in-licensing patent applications in the United States and abroad related to our development programs and product candidates. The patent prosecution process is expensive and time-consuming, and we may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner.

The patents and patent applications that we own or in-license may fail to result in issued patents with claims that protect ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates in the United States or in other foreign countries. There is no assurance that all of the potentially relevant prior art relating to our patents and patent applications has been found, which can prevent a patent from issuing from a pending patent application, or be used to invalidate a patent. Even if patents do successfully issue and even if such patents cover ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, third parties may challenge their validity, enforceability or scope, which may result in such patents being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable. Any successful opposition to these patents or any other patents owned by or licensed to us could deprive us of rights necessary for the successful commercialization of any product candidates that we may develop. Further, if we encounter delays in regulatory approvals, the period of time during which we could market a product candidate under patent protection could be reduced.

The patent application process is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that we or any of our potential future collaborators will be successful in protecting our product candidates by obtaining and defending patents. These risks and uncertainties include the following:

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the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other provisions during the patent process, the non-compliance with which can result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application, and partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction;

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patent applications may not result in any patents being issued;

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patents may be challenged, invalidated, modified, revoked, circumvented, found to be unenforceable or otherwise may not provide any competitive advantage;

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our competitors, many of whom have substantially greater resources than we do and many of whom have made significant investments in competing technologies, may seek or may have already obtained patents that will limit, interfere with or block our ability to make, use and sell our product candidates;

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there may be significant pressure on the U.S. government and international governmental bodies to limit the scope of patent protection both inside and outside the United States for disease treatments that prove successful, as a matter of public policy regarding worldwide health concerns;

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countries other than the United States may have patent laws less favorable to patentees than those upheld by U.S. courts, allowing foreign competitors a better opportunity to create, develop and market competing products;

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other parties may have designed around our claims or developed technologies that may be related or competitive to our platform, may have filed or may file patent applications and may have received or may receive patents that overlap or conflict with our patent applications, either by claiming the same methods or devices or by claiming subject matter that could dominate our patent position;

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any successful opposition to any patents owned by or licensed to us could deprive us of rights necessary for the practice of our technologies or the successful commercialization of any products or product candidates that we may develop;

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because patent applications in the United States and most other countries are confidential for a period of time after filing, we cannot be certain that we or our licensors were the first to file any patent application related to our product candidates, proprietary technologies and their uses; and

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an interference proceeding can be provoked by a third party or instituted by the PTO to determine who was the first to invent any of the subject matter covered by the patent claims of our applications for any application with an effective filing date before March 16, 2013.

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The patent prosecution process is also expensive and time-consuming, and we and our licensors may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner or in all jurisdictions where protection may be commercially advantageous. It is also possible that we and our licensors will fail to identify patentable aspects of our research and development output before it is too late to obtain patent protection.

If the patent applications we hold or in-license with respect to our development programs and product candidates fail to issue, if their breadth or strength of protection is threatened, or if they fail to provide meaningful exclusivity for ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, it could dissuade other companies from collaborating with us to develop product candidates, and threaten our ability to commercialize ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates. Any such outcome could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

We may not be successful in obtaining or maintaining necessary rights to product components and processes and brands for our development pipeline through acquisitions and in-licenses.

Presently we have intellectual property rights, through licenses from third parties related to ZTlido, SP-103, and GLOPERBA. Because our programs for ZTlido, GLOPERBA, SP-103 and SP-104 may require the use of additional proprietary rights held by third parties, the growth of our business will likely depend in part on our ability to acquire, in-license or use these proprietary rights. In addition, our product candidates may require specific formulations to work effectively and efficiently and these rights may be held by others. It may also be commercially advantageous to use trademarks held by others. We may be unable to acquire or in-license proprietary rights related to any compositions, formulations, methods of use, processes or other intellectual property rights from third parties that we identify as being necessary for our product candidates. Even if we are able to obtain a license to such proprietary rights, it may be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us. In that event, we may be required to expend significant time and resources to develop or license replacement technology.

Where we obtain licenses from or collaborate with third parties, we may not have the right to control the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent and trademark applications, or to maintain the patents covering technology that we license from third parties and associated trademark registrations, or such activities, if controlled by us, may require the input of such third parties. We may also require the cooperation of our licensors and collaborators to enforce any licensed patent rights, and such cooperation may not be provided. Therefore, these patents, trademarks and applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, which may affect the validity and enforceability of such patents and trademarks, or any patents and trademark registrations that may issue from such applications. Moreover, if we do obtain necessary licenses, we will likely have obligations under those licenses, including making royalty and milestone payments, and any failure to satisfy those obligations could give our licensor the right to terminate the license. Termination of a necessary license, or expiration of licensed patents or patent applications, or loss of trademark rights, could have a material adverse impact on our business. Our business would suffer if any such licenses terminate, if the licensors fail to abide by the terms of the license, if the licensors fail to enforce licensed patents or trademarks against infringing third parties, if the licensed patents or other rights are found to be invalid or unenforceable, or if we are unable to enter into necessary licenses on acceptable terms. Furthermore, if any licenses terminate, or if the underlying patents fail to provide the intended exclusivity, competitors or other third parties may gain the freedom to seek regulatory approval of, and to market, products identical to ours. Moreover, our licensors may own or control intellectual property that has not been licensed to us and, as a result, we may be subject to claims, regardless of their merit, that we are infringing or otherwise violating the licensor’s rights. In addition, while we cannot currently determine the amount of the royalty obligations we would be required to pay on sales of future products, if any, the amounts may be significant. The amount of our future royalty obligations will depend on the technology and intellectual property we use in products that we successfully develop and commercialize, if any. Therefore, even if we successfully develop and commercialize products, we may be unable to achieve or maintain profitability.

The licensing and acquisition of third-party proprietary rights is a competitive area, and companies, which may be more established, or have greater resources than we do, may also be pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party proprietary rights that we may consider necessary or attractive in order to

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commercialize our product candidates. More established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, cash resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities. We may be unable to negotiate a license within the specified time frame or under terms that are acceptable to us. If we are unable to do so, the third-party may offer, on an exclusive basis, their proprietary rights to other parties, potentially blocking our ability to pursue our program.

In addition, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to us, either on reasonable terms, or at all. We also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment, or at all. If we are unable to successfully obtain rights to required third-party intellectual property rights on commercially reasonable terms, our ability to commercialize our products, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

We may become subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our patents and other intellectual property.

We may be subject to claims that former employees (including former employees of our licensors), collaborators or other third parties have an interest in our patents or other intellectual property as an inventor or co-inventor. The failure to name the proper inventors on a patent application can result in the patents issuing thereon being unenforceable. Inventorship disputes may arise from conflicting views regarding the contributions of different individuals named as inventors, the effects of foreign laws where foreign nationals are involved in the development of the subject matter of the patent, conflicting obligations of third parties involved in developing our product candidates or as a result of questions regarding co-ownership of potential joint inventions. Litigation may be necessary to resolve these and other claims challenging inventorship and/or ownership. Alternatively, or additionally, we may enter into agreements to clarify the scope of our rights in such intellectual property. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, valuable intellectual property. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.

Claims that we infringe, misappropriate, or violate the intellectual property rights of third parties may give rise to costly and lengthy litigation, and we could be prevented from selling products, forced to pay damages, and defend against litigation.

Third parties may assert patent or other intellectual property infringement or misappropriation claims against us or our strategic partners, licensors or licensees with respect to ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates. If ZTlido, GLOPERBA or any of our product candidates, methods, processes and other technologies are alleged to infringe on or be improperly based on the proprietary rights of other parties, we could face adverse consequences.

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have produced a proliferation of patents, and it is not always clear to industry participants, including us, which patents cover various types of products or methods of use. The coverage of patents is subject to interpretation by the courts, and the interpretation is not always uniform. We cannot assure that any of our current or future product candidates will not infringe existing or future patents. We may not be aware of patents that have already issued that a third party might assert are infringed by one of our current or future product candidates.

There may be third-party patents of which we are currently unaware with claims to materials, formulations, methods of manufacture or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of our product candidates. Because patent applications can take many years to issue and may be confidential for 18 months or more after filing, there may be currently pending third-party patent applications which may later result in issued patents that our product candidates or our technologies may infringe, or which such third parties claim are infringed by the use of our technologies. Parties making claims against us for infringement or misappropriation of their intellectual property rights may seek and obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further develop and commercialize one or

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more of our product candidates. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, could involve substantial expenses and could be a substantial diversion of our valuable management and employee resources from our business.

If we collaborate with third parties in the development of technology in the future, our collaborators may not properly maintain or defend our intellectual property rights or may use our proprietary information in such a way as to invite litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate our intellectual property or proprietary information or expose us to litigation or potential liability. Further, collaborators may infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may expose us to litigation and potential liability. In the future, we may agree to indemnify our commercial collaborators against certain intellectual property infringement claims brought by third parties. Any claims of patent infringement asserted by third parties would be time-consuming and could:

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result in costly litigation;

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divert the time and attention of our technical personnel and management;

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cause development delays;

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prevent us from commercializing our product candidates until the asserted patent expires or is held finally invalid or not infringed in a court of law;

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require us to develop non-infringing technology, which may not be possible on a cost-effective basis;

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require us to pay damages to the party whose intellectual property rights we may be found to be infringing, which may include treble damages if we are found to have been willfully infringing such intellectual property;

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require us to pay the attorney’s fees and costs of litigation to the party whose intellectual property rights we may be found to be infringing; and/or

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require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

If we are sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our products or methods either do not infringe the patent claims of the relevant patent or that the patent claims are invalid, and we may not be able to do either. Proving invalidity is difficult. For example, in the United States, proving invalidity requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of validity enjoyed by issued patents. Even if we are successful in these proceedings, we may incur substantial costs and divert management’s time and attention in pursuing these proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on us. If we are unable to avoid infringing the patent rights of others, we may be required to seek a license, which may not be available, defend an infringement action or challenge the validity of the patents in court. Patent litigation is costly and time-consuming. We may not have sufficient resources to bring these actions to a successful conclusion. In addition, if we do not obtain a license, develop or obtain non-infringing technology, fail to defend an infringement action successfully or have infringed patents declared invalid, we may incur substantial monetary damages, encounter significant delays in bringing our product candidates to market and be precluded from manufacturing or selling our product candidates.

We cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by our pending applications, or that we were the first to invent the technology, because:

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some patent applications in the United States may be maintained in secrecy until the patents are issued;

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patent applications in the United States and elsewhere can be pending for many years before issuance, or unintentionally abandoned patents or applications can be revived;

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pending patent applications that have been published can, subject to certain limitations, be later amended in a manner that could cover our technologies, our product candidates or the use of our product candidates;

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identification of third-party patent rights that may be relevant to our technology is difficult because patent searching is imperfect due to differences in terminology among patents, incomplete databases and the difficulty in assessing the meaning of patent claims;

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patent applications in the United States are typically not published until 18 months after the priority date; and

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publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries.

Furthermore, the scope of a patent claim is determined by an interpretation of the law, the written disclosure in a patent and the patent’s prosecution history and can involve other factors such as expert opinion. Our interpretation of the relevance or the scope of claims in a patent or a pending application may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to market our products. Further, we may incorrectly determine that our technologies, products, or product candidates are not covered by a third-party patent or may incorrectly predict whether a third party’s pending patent application will issue with claims of relevant scope. Our determination of the expiration date of any patent in the United States or internationally that we consider relevant may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to develop and market our products or product candidates.

Our competitors may have filed, and may in the future file, patent applications covering technology similar to ours, and others may have or obtain patents or proprietary rights that could limit our ability to make, use, sell, offer for sale or import our product candidates and future approved products or impair our competitive position. Numerous third-party U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications exist in the fields in which we are developing product candidates. There may be third-party patents or patent applications with claims to materials, formulations, methods of manufacture or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of our product candidates. Any such patent application may have priority over our patent applications, which could further require us to obtain rights to issued patents covering such technologies. If another party has filed a U.S. patent application on inventions similar to ours, we may have to participate in an interference proceeding declared by the PTO to determine priority of invention in the United States. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial, and it is possible that such efforts would be unsuccessful if, unbeknownst to us, the other party had independently arrived at the same or similar invention prior to our own invention, resulting in a loss of our U.S. patent position with respect to such inventions. Other countries have similar laws that permit secrecy of patent applications, and may be entitled to priority over our applications in such jurisdictions.

Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. In addition, any uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our operations.

Even if we were to prevail, any litigation or administrative proceeding could be costly and time-consuming and would divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. Furthermore, as a result of a patent infringement suit brought against us or our strategic partners or licensees, we or our strategic partners or licensees may be forced to stop or delay developing, manufacturing or selling technologies, product candidates or potential products that are claimed to infringe a third party’s intellectual property unless that party grants us or our strategic partners’ or licensees’ rights to use its intellectual property. Ultimately, we may be unable to develop some of our product candidates or may have to discontinue development of a product candidate or cease some of our business operations as a result of patent infringement claims, which could severely harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may become involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or other intellectual property, which could be expensive, time-consuming and unsuccessful.

Competitors may infringe our patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming and divert the time and attention of our management and key personnel. For example, on June 22, 2022, we filed a complaint against Aveva Drug Delivery Systems, Inc., Apotex Corp. and Apotex, Inc. (together, “Aveva”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging infringement of certain Orange Book patents covering ZTlido. See the section titled “Business of Scilex — Legal Proceedings” for additional information regarding such proceedings. Any claims we assert against perceived infringers could provoke these parties to assert counterclaims against us alleging that we

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infringe their patents, in addition to counterclaims asserting that our patents are invalid or unenforceable, or both. In any patent infringement proceeding, there is a risk that a court will decide that a patent of ours is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and that we do not have the right to stop the other party from using the invention at issue. There is also a risk that, even if the validity of such patents is upheld, the court will construe the patent’s claims narrowly or decide that we do not have the right to stop the other party from using the invention at issue on the grounds that our patent claims do not cover the invention. An adverse outcome in a litigation or proceeding involving our patents could limit our ability to assert our patents against those parties or other competitors, and may curtail or preclude our ability to exclude third parties from making and selling similar or competitive products. Any of these occurrences could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, if we assert trademark infringement claims, a court may determine that the marks we have asserted are invalid or unenforceable, or that the party against whom we have asserted trademark infringement has superior rights to the marks in question. In this case, we could ultimately be forced to cease use of such trademarks.

Even if we establish infringement, the court may decide not to grant an injunction against further infringing activity and instead award only monetary damages, which may not be an adequate remedy. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during litigation. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments.

Moreover, there can be no assurance that we will have sufficient financial or other resources to file and pursue such infringement claims, which typically last for years before they are concluded. Even if we ultimately prevail in such claims, the monetary cost of such litigation and the diversion of the attention of our management and scientific personnel could outweigh any benefit we receive as a result of the proceedings.

Because of the expense and uncertainty of litigation, we may conclude that even if a third party is infringing our issued patent, any patents that may be issued as a result of our pending or future patent applications or other intellectual property rights, the risk-adjusted cost of bringing and enforcing such a claim or action may be too high or not in the best interest of our company or our stockholders. In such cases, we may decide that the more prudent course of action is to simply monitor the situation or initiate or seek some other non-litigious action or solution. Any of the foregoing may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If our intellectual property rights are invalidated or circumvented, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

Our long-term success depends on our ability to continually discover, develop and commercialize innovative new pharmaceutical products. Without strong intellectual property protection, we would be unable to generate the returns necessary to support the enormous investments in research and development and capital as well as other expenditures required to bring new product candidates to the market and for commercialization.

Intellectual property protection varies throughout the world and is subject to change over time. In the United States, for small molecule drug products, such as ZTlido and GLOPERBA, the Hatch-Waxman Act provides generic companies powerful incentives to seek to invalidate our pharmaceutical patents. As a result, we expect that our U.S. patents on major pharmaceutical products will be routinely challenged, and there can be no assurance that our patents will be upheld. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a distraction to management and other employees. We face generic manufacturer challenges to our patents outside the United States as well. In addition, competitors or other third parties may claim that our activities infringe patents or other intellectual property rights held by them. If successful, such claims could result in our being unable to market a product in a particular territory or being required to pay damages for past infringement or royalties on future sales.

If our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

We have registered trademarks with the PTO for the mark “ZTlido,” “SCILEX” and “RESPONSIBLE BY DESIGN,” and we have filed trademark applications for the marks “SEMNUR PHARMACEUTICALS”

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and “SEMDEXA” in the United States. The Company also has trademark registrations for ZTlido in the UK and Greece, and the Company has a pending trademark application for ZTlido in China. In China, the Company detected a third-party trademark registration for ZTlido and filed an invalidation proceeding — Invalidation of TM Registration No. 36299669 “ZTlido” in Class 5 in the name of 秦皇島恆駿商貿有限公司 (Qinhuangdao Hengjun Trading Co., Ltd.) (the “China ZTlido Trademark Invalidation Proceeding”). The China ZTlido Trademark Invalidation Proceeding is pending. Our trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, diluted, tarnished, circumvented or declared generic or determined to be infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names, which we need to build name recognition among potential partners or customers in our markets of interest. At times, competitors or other third parties may adopt trade names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to market confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name or trademark infringement, dilution or tarnishment claims brought by owners of other registered trademarks or trademarks that incorporate variations of our registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names. Over the long term, if we are unable to establish name recognition based on our trademarks and trade names, then we may not be able to compete effectively and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Our efforts to enforce or protect our proprietary rights related to trademarks, trade secrets, domain names, copyrights or other intellectual property may be ineffective and could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.

Changes in patent laws or patent jurisprudence could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our product candidates.

As is the case with other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries involve both technological and legal complexity. Therefore, obtaining and enforcing biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents is costly, time-consuming and inherently uncertain. In addition, the America Invents Act (the “AIA”), which was passed in September 2011, resulted in significant changes to the U.S. patent system. An important change introduced by the AIA is that, as of March 16, 2013, the United States transitioned from a “first-to-invent” to a “first-to-file” system for deciding which party should be granted a patent when two or more patent applications are filed by different parties claiming the same invention. Under a “first-to-file” system, assuming the other requirements for patentability are met, the first inventor to file a patent application generally will be entitled to a patent on the invention regardless of whether another inventor had made the invention earlier. A third party that files a patent application in the PTO after that date but before us could therefore be awarded a patent covering an invention of ours even if we made the invention before it was made by the third party. This will require us to be cognizant going forward of the time from invention to filing of a patent application and diligent in filing patent applications, but circumstances could prevent us from promptly filing patent applications on our inventions.

Among some of the other changes introduced by the AIA are changes that limit where a patentee may file a patent infringement suit and providing opportunities for third parties to challenge any issued patent in the PTO. This applies to all of our U.S. patents, even those issued before March 16, 2013. Because of a lower evidentiary standard in PTO proceedings compared to the evidentiary standard in U.S. federal courts necessary to invalidate a patent claim, a third party could potentially provide evidence in a PTO proceeding sufficient for the PTO to hold a claim invalid even though the same evidence would be insufficient to invalidate the claim if first presented in a district court action.

Accordingly, a third party may attempt to use the PTO procedures to invalidate our patent claims that would not have been invalidated if first challenged by the third party as a defendant in a district court action. It is not clear what, if any, impact the AIA will have on the operation of our business. However, the AIA and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our or our licensors’ patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our or our licensors’ issued patents.

We may become involved in opposition, interference, derivation, inter partes review or other proceedings challenging our or our licensors’ patent rights, and the outcome of any proceedings are highly uncertain. An adverse determination in any such proceeding could reduce the scope of, or invalidate, our owned or in-licensed patent rights, allow third parties to commercialize ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates and compete directly with us, without payment to us, or result in our inability to manufacture or commercialize products without infringing third-party patent rights.

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Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations, and there are other open questions under patent law that courts have yet to decisively address. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on decisions by Congress, the federal courts and the PTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways and could weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents that we might obtain in the future. For example, the Biden administration recently indicated its support for a proposal at the World Trade Organization to waive patent rights with respect to COVID-19 vaccines. Any waiver of our patent or other intellectual property protection by the U.S. and other foreign governments could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the European patent system is relatively stringent in the type of amendments that are allowed during prosecution, but, the complexity and uncertainty of European patent laws has also increased in recent years. Complying with these laws and regulations could limit our ability to obtain new patents in the future that may be important for our business.

Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

The PTO and various foreign patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other provisions to maintain patent applications and issued patents. For example, periodic maintenance fees on any issued patent are due to be paid to the PTO and other foreign patent agencies in several stages over the lifetime of the patent. The PTO and various foreign national or international patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment, and other similar provisions during the patent application process. While an inadvertent lapse can in many cases be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules, there are situations in which non-compliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. Non-compliance events that could result in abandonment or lapse of patent rights include, but are not limited to, failure to timely file national and regional stage patent applications based on our international patent application, failure to respond to official actions within prescribed time limits, non-payment of fees, and failure to properly legalize and submit formal documents. If we or any of our licensors fail to maintain the patents or patent applications covering ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, our competitors may be able to enter the market, which would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Confidentiality agreements with employees may not adequately prevent disclosure of our trade secrets and other proprietary information and may not adequately protect our intellectual property, which could limit our ability to compete.

To help protect our proprietary know-how and our inventions for which patents may be unobtainable or difficult to obtain, or prior to seeking patent protection, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements. To this end, we require all our employees to enter into agreements that prohibit the disclosure of confidential information and, where applicable, require disclosure and assignment to us of the ideas, developments, discoveries and inventions important to our business. These agreements typically limit the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information. We also typically obtain agreements from these parties that provide that inventions conceived by the party in the course of rendering services to us will be our exclusive property.

However, current or former employees may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors, and confidentiality agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. The need to share trade secrets and other confidential information increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by our competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. Given that our competitive position is based, in part, on our know-how and trade secrets, a competitor’s discovery of our trade secrets or other unauthorized use or disclosure would impair our

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competitive position and may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Enforcing a claim that a third party obtained illegally, and is using, trade secrets and/or confidential know-how is expensive, time-consuming and unpredictable, and the enforceability of confidentiality agreements may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

If any of our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information is disclosed, the value of our trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary rights would be significantly impaired and our business and competitive position would suffer. Moreover, our third-party licensing partners may retain rights in some of our proprietary or joint trade secrets, know-how, patented inventions or other proprietary information, including rights to sublicense and rights of publication, which may adversely impact our ability to obtain patents and protect trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information.

We may be subject to claims asserting that our employees, consultants or advisors have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their current or former employers or claims asserting ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property.

Certain of our employees, consultants or advisors are currently, or were previously, employed at universities or other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors, as well as our academic partners. Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants and advisors do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that these individuals or we have used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any such individual’s current or former employer. We may also be subject to claims that patents and applications that we may file to protect inventions of our employees or consultants are rightfully owned by their former employers or other third parties. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. An inability to incorporate such technologies or features would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and may prevent us from successfully commercializing ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, if approved. Moreover, any such litigation or the threat of such litigation may adversely affect our ability to hire employees or contract with independent contractors. A loss of key personnel or their work product could hamper or prevent our ability to commercialize ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, if approved. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

In addition, while it is our policy to require our employees and contractors who may be involved in the conception or development of intellectual property to execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to us, we may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who, in fact, conceives or develops intellectual property that we regard as our own. Moreover, even when we obtain agreements assigning intellectual property to us, the assignment of intellectual property rights may not be self-executing or the assignment agreements may be breached, and we may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they may bring against us, to determine the ownership of what we regard as our intellectual property. In addition, individuals executing agreements with us may have preexisting or competing obligations to a third party.

Our position as a relatively small company may cause us to be at a significant disadvantage in defending our intellectual property rights and in defending against infringement claims by third parties.

Litigation relating to the ownership and use of intellectual property is expensive, and our position as a relatively small company in an industry dominated by very large companies may cause us to be at a significant disadvantage in defending our intellectual property rights and in defending against claims that ZTlido, GLOPERBA or any of our product candidates infringes or misappropriates third-party intellectual property rights. However, we may seek to use various post-grant administrative proceedings, including new procedures created under the AIA, to invalidate potentially overly-broad third-party rights. Even if we can defend our position, the cost of doing so may adversely affect our ability to grow, generate revenue or become profitable. In the course of the ongoing litigation or any future additional litigation to which we may be subject, we may not be able to protect our intellectual property at a reasonable cost, or at all. The outcome of litigation is always uncertain, and in some cases could include judgments against us that require us to pay

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damages, enjoin us from certain activities or otherwise affect our legal, contractual or intellectual property rights, which could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Third-party claims of intellectual property infringement may prevent or delay our drug discovery and development efforts.

There is a substantial amount of litigation involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, including PTO administrative proceedings, such as inter partes reviews, and reexamination proceedings before the PTO or oppositions and revocations and other comparable proceedings in foreign jurisdictions. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields in which we are developing product candidates. As the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries expand and more patents are issued, the risk increases that ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates may give rise to claims of infringement of the patent rights of others.

Despite safe harbor provisions, third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. There may be third-party patents, of which we are currently unaware, with claims to materials, formulations, methods of doing research, methods of manufacture or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently pending unpublished patent applications which may later result in issued patents that ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates may infringe. In addition, third parties may obtain patents in the future and claim that the use of our technologies infringes these patents. If any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover the manufacturing process of ZTlido, GLOPERBA or any of our product candidates, any molecules formed during the manufacturing process or any final product itself, the holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to commercialize such product candidate unless we obtain a license under the applicable patents, or until such patents expire or they are finally determined to be held invalid or unenforceable.

Similarly, if any third-party patent were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover aspects of our formulations, processes for manufacture or methods of use, including combination therapy or patient selection methods, the holders of any such patent may be able to block our ability to develop and commercialize the applicable product candidate unless we obtain a license, limit our uses, or until such patent expires or is finally determined to be held invalid or unenforceable. In either case, such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

Parties making claims against us may obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further commercialize ZTlido and GLOPERBA, or develop and commercialize one or more of our product candidates. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may have to pay substantial damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees for willful infringement, obtain one or more licenses from third parties, cease marketing ZTlido or GLOPERBA, or developing our product candidates, limit our uses, pay royalties or redesign our infringing product candidates, which may be impossible or require substantial time and monetary expenditure. We cannot predict whether any such license would be available at all or whether it would be available on commercially reasonable terms. Furthermore, even in the absence of litigation, we may need to obtain licenses from third parties to advance our research or allow commercialization of ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates, if approved. We may fail to obtain any of these licenses at a reasonable cost or on reasonable terms, if at all. In that event, we would be unable to further commercialize ZTlido or GLOPERBA, or develop and commercialize one or more of our product candidates, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations significantly.

We may be subject to claims that we have wrongfully hired an employee from a competitor or that we or our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged confidential information or trade secrets of their former employers.

As is common in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, in addition to our employees, we engage the services of consultants to assist us in the development of our product candidates. Many of these

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consultants, and many of our employees, were previously employed at, or may have previously provided or may be currently providing consulting services to, other pharmaceutical companies including our competitors or potential competitors. We may become subject to claims that we, our employees or a consultant inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other information proprietary to their former employers or their former or current clients. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel, which could adversely affect our business. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to our management team and other employees.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

The requirements for patentability and the patent enforcement differ in many countries. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on ZTlido and all of our product candidates throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection, but enforcement in some countries is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with ZTlido and our product candidates, if approved, in jurisdictions where we do not have any issued patents and our patent claims or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from so competing.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions could significantly devalue our Ukrainian and Russian, patent applications. Recent Russian decrees may significantly limit our ability to enforce Russian patents. We cannot predict when or how this situation will change.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in certain foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biopharmaceuticals and methods of treatment of the human body, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial cost and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate, and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful.

In addition, many countries have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled under specified circumstances to grant licenses to third parties. Furthermore, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or government contractors. In those countries, we may have limited remedies if patents are infringed or if we are compelled to grant a license to a third party, which could materially diminish the value of those patents and limit our potential revenue opportunities. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets, our business and competitive position would be harmed.

We rely on trade secrets to protect our proprietary technologies, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. We rely in part on confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, outside scientific collaborators, sponsored researchers and other advisors, and inventions agreements with employees, consultants and advisors, to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information. In addition to contractual measures, we try to

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protect the confidential nature of our proprietary information using commonly accepted physical and technological security measures. Despite these efforts, we cannot provide any assurances that all such agreements have been duly executed, and these agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information. For example, in 2010, the FDA, as part of its Transparency Initiative, recommended steps that the FDA could take to increase transparency, including with respect to making additional information publicly available on a routine basis, which may include information that we may consider to be trade secrets or other proprietary information, and it is not clear at the present time how the FDA’s disclosure policies may change in the future, if at all. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position.

In addition, such security measures may not provide adequate protection for our proprietary information, for example, in the case of misappropriation of a trade secret by an employee, consultant, customer or third party with authorized access. Our security measures may not prevent an employee, consultant or customer from misappropriating our trade secrets and providing them to a competitor, and any recourse we take against such misconduct may not provide an adequate remedy to protect our interests fully. Monitoring unauthorized uses and disclosures is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary technologies will be effective. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to copy or reverse engineer certain aspects of our products that we consider proprietary. Competitors and other third parties could attempt to replicate some or all of the competitive advantages we derive from our development efforts, willfully infringe our intellectual property rights, design around our protected technology or develop their own competitive technologies that fall outside of our intellectual property rights.

Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret can be difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Even though we use commonly accepted security measures, the criteria for protection of trade secrets can vary among different jurisdictions. In addition, some courts inside and outside the United States are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets. Moreover, trade secrets will over time be disseminated within the industry through independent development, the publication of journal articles and the movement of personnel skilled in the art from company to company or academic to industry scientific positions. If any of our trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor, we would have no right to prevent such competitor from using that technology or information to compete with us, which could harm our competitive position. If any of these events occurs or if we otherwise lose protection for our trade secrets, the value of this information may be greatly reduced and our competitive position would be harmed. If we do not apply for patent protection prior to such publication or if we cannot otherwise maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary technology and other confidential information, then our ability to obtain patent protection or to protect our trade secret information may be jeopardized.

Our reliance on third parties may require us to share our trade secrets, which increases the possibility that our trade secrets will be misappropriated or disclosed.

Because we rely on third parties to help manufacture and supply our products and product candidates, and we expect to collaborate with third parties on the continuing development of future product candidates, we must, at times, share trade secrets with them. We also expect to conduct research and development programs that may require us to share trade secrets under the terms of our partnerships or agreements with CROs. We seek to protect our proprietary technology in part by entering into agreements containing confidentiality and use restrictions and obligations, including, material transfer agreements, consulting agreements, confidentiality agreements or other similar agreements with our advisors, contractors, service providers and consultants prior to disclosing proprietary information. These agreements typically limit the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information, including our trade secrets. Despite the contractual provisions employed when working with third parties, the need to share trade secrets and other confidential information increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by our competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. Given that our proprietary position is based, in part, on our know-how and trade secrets, a

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competitor’s discovery of our trade secrets or other unauthorized use or disclosure would impair our competitive position and may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, these agreements typically restrict the ability of our advisors, third-party contractors and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our trade secrets, although our agreements may contain certain limited publication rights. Despite our efforts to protect our trade secrets, our competitors may discover our trade secrets, either through breach of our agreements with third parties, independent development or publication of information by any of our third-party collaborators. A competitor’s discovery of our trade secrets would impair our competitive position and have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Intellectual property rights and regulatory exclusivity rights do not necessarily address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.

The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain because legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep our competitive advantage. If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology, competitors may be able to use our product candidates and proprietary technologies and erode or negate any competitive advantage we may have, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For example:

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Others may be able to make products that are similar to ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or have exclusively licensed;

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We or our licensors or strategic partners might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by the issued patent or pending patent application that we own or have exclusively licensed;

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We or our licensors or strategic partners might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of our inventions;

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Others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights;

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Our pending patent applications may not lead to issued patents;

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Issued patents that we own or have exclusively licensed may not provide us with any competitive advantage, or may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors;

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Our competitors might conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have patent rights and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets;

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We may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable; and

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The patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business.

Should any of these events occur, they could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

It is possible that defects of form in the preparation or filing of our patents or patent applications may exist, or may arise in the future, for example with respect to proper priority claims, inventorship, claim scope or requests for patent term adjustments. If we or our partners, collaborators, licensees or licensors, whether current or future, fail to establish, maintain or protect such patents and other intellectual property rights, such rights may be reduced or eliminated. If our partners, collaborators, licensees or licensors, are not fully cooperative or disagree with us as to the prosecution, maintenance or enforcement of any patent rights, such patent rights could be compromised. If there are material defects in the form, preparation, prosecution or enforcement of our patents or patent applications, such patents may be invalid and/or unenforceable, and such applications may never result in valid, enforceable patents. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to prevent competition from third parties, which may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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The patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions, and has been and will continue to be the subject of litigation and new legislation. Publications in scientific literature often lag behind the actual discoveries, and patent applications in the United States and other jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after filing, or in some cases not at all. Therefore, we cannot know with certainty whether we were the first to make the inventions claimed in our own patents or pending patent applications, or that we were the first to file for patent protection of such inventions. As a result of these and other factors, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability, and commercial value of our patent rights are highly uncertain. Our pending and future patent applications may not result in patents being issued that protect ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, in whole or in part, or which effectively prevent others from commercializing competitive technologies and products.

Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of the patent laws in the United States and other countries may diminish the value of our patents or narrow the scope of our patent protection. If these changes were to occur, they could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate revenue.

Moreover, we may be subject to a third-party pre-issuance submission of prior art to the PTO or become involved in opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter partes review, post-grant review or interference proceedings challenging our patent rights or the patent rights of others. The costs of defending our patents or enforcing our proprietary rights in post-issuance administrative proceedings and litigation can be substantial and the outcome can be uncertain. An adverse determination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope of, or invalidate, our patent rights, allow third parties to commercialize ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates and compete directly with us, without payment to us, or result in our inability to manufacture or commercialize products without infringing third-party patent rights. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent applications is threatened, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to license, develop or commercialize current or future product candidates.

The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity or enforceability, and our owned and potentially licensed patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad. Such challenges may result in loss of exclusivity or in patent claims being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable, in whole or in part, which could limit our ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical technology and products, or limit the duration of the patent protection of ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates. Generally, patents are granted a term of 20 years from the earliest claimed non-provisional filing date. In certain instances, patent term can be adjusted and increased to recapture a portion of delay incurred by the PTO in examining the patent application. The scope of patent protection may also be limited. Without patent protection for our current or future product candidates, we may be open to competition from generic versions of such products. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing, and regulatory review of new product candidates, patents protecting such candidates might expire before or shortly after such candidates are commercialized. As a result, our patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours.

Risks Related to Government Regulations

The time required to obtain approval from the FDA is unpredictable but typically takes many years following the commencement of clinical trials and depends upon numerous factors, including the substantial discretion of the regulatory authorities, and its outcome is inherently uncertain. In addition, approval policies, regulations, or the type and amount of clinical data necessary to gain approval may change during the course of a product candidate’s clinical development and may vary among jurisdictions. For example, we believe that the data from our Phase 3 CLEAR trial will be sufficient to support a 505(b)(2) NDA submission for SEMDEXA. However, the FDA may disagree and may require us to conduct additional clinical studies before we are able to submit the NDA, even though we believe the data from the CLEAR trial are

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adequate. Our future success depends on our ability to develop, receive regulatory approval for, and introduce new products or product enhancements that will be accepted by the market in a timely manner.

The FDA can delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many reasons, including:

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it may disagree with the design or implementation of our clinical trials;

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we may be unable to demonstrate to such authorities’ satisfaction that a product candidate is safe and effective for its proposed indication;

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negative or ambiguous results from our clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical significance required for approval by the FDA;

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it may disagree with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical trials;

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it may not agree that the data collected from clinical trials of our product candidates are acceptable or sufficient to support the submission of an NDA or other submission or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States, and such authorities may impose requirements for additional preclinical studies or clinical trials;

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it may disagree regarding the formulation, labeling and/or the specifications of our product candidates;

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such authorities may decline to approve the manufacturing processes or facilities of third-party manufacturers with which we contract for clinical and commercial supplies; and

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the approval policies or regulations of the FDA may significantly change in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval.

Of the large number of drugs in development, only a small percentage successfully complete the FDA regulatory approval processes and are commercialized. This lengthy approval process, as well as the unpredictability of future clinical trial results, may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market our product candidates, which would significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, regulatory authorities may approve any of our product candidates for fewer or more limited indications than we request, may not approve the price we intend to charge for our product candidates, may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly post-marketing clinical trials, or may approve a product candidate with a label that does not include the labeling claims necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of that product candidate. Any of the foregoing scenarios could materially harm the commercial prospects for our product candidates.

Other than an NDA submitted for ZTlido in the United States, which was approved by the FDA in February 2018, we have not previously submitted an NDA to the FDA for any product candidate, and we cannot be certain that any of our product candidates will be successful in clinical trials or receive regulatory approval. Further, our product candidates may not receive regulatory approval even if our clinical trials are successful. If we do not receive regulatory approvals for our product candidates, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be substantially harmed.

If the FDA does not conclude that certain of our product candidates satisfy the requirements for the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory approval pathway, or if the requirements for such product candidates under Section 505(b)(2) are not as we expect, the approval pathway for those product candidates will likely take significantly longer, cost significantly more and entail significantly greater complications and risks than anticipated, and in either case may not be successful.

For our product candidates SEMDEXA, SP-103 and SP-104, we may seek FDA approval through the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway. The Hatch-Waxman Act added Section 505(b)(2) to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the “FDCA”). Section 505(b)(2) permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from trials that were not conducted by or for the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. Section 505(b)(2) allows an NDA we submit to the FDA to rely in part on data in the public domain or the FDA’s prior conclusions regarding the safety and effectiveness of approved compounds, which could expedite the development program for our product candidates by potentially decreasing the amount of data that we would need to generate in order

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to obtain FDA approval. If the FDA does not agree that the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway is acceptable as we anticipated, we may need to conduct additional clinical trials, provide additional data and information and meet additional standards for regulatory approval.

Even if FDA accepts our plan to pursue the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, we cannot assure that our product candidates will receive the requisite approvals for commercialization. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive, and Section 505(b)(2) NDAs are subject to special requirements designed to protect the patent and market exclusivity rights of sponsors of previously approved drugs that are referenced in a Section 505(b)(2) NDA. These requirements may give rise to patent litigation against us and mandatory delays in approval of our NDAs for up to 30 months or longer depending on the outcome of any litigation. Further, a manufacturer of an approved product may file a citizen petition with the FDA seeking to delay approval of, or impose additional approval requirements for, pending competing products. FDA imposes strict requirements on such petitions in part to dissuade companies from improperly using these petitions to delay approval of competing drug products, Nonetheless, if successful, such petitions can significantly delay, or even prevent, the approval of the new product. However, even if the FDA ultimately denies such a petition, the FDA may delay approval while it considers and responds to the petition. In addition, even if we are able to utilize the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, there is no guarantee this would ultimately lead to accelerated product development or earlier approval.

Any approved product candidate will be subject to ongoing and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant expense and limit our ability to commercialize such products.

Even after a product is approved, we will remain subject to ongoing FDA and other regulatory requirements governing the manufacturing, testing, labeling, packaging, storage, distribution, safety surveillance, advertising, promotion, import, export, record-keeping and reporting of safety and other post-market information. The holder of an approved NDA is obligated to monitor and report adverse events and any failure of a distributed product to meet the specifications in the NDA. The holder of an approved NDA must also submit new or supplemental applications and obtain FDA approval for certain changes to the approved product, product labeling or manufacturing process. Advertising and promotional materials must comply with FDA rules and are subject to FDA review, in addition to other potentially applicable federal and state laws. In addition, the FDA may impose significant restrictions on the approved indicated uses for which the product may be marketed.

These requirements include submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, registration, as well as continued compliance with cGMPs and GCPs for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval. The future discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated type, severity or frequency, or with our third-party manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in, among other things:

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investigation or additional study obligations;

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communications to prescribers or patients about specific information or issues;

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restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of the product, withdrawal of the product from the market, or voluntary or mandatory product recalls;

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fines, warning or untitled letters or holds on clinical trials;

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refusal by the FDA to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications filed by us, or suspension or revocation of product license approvals;

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product seizure or detention, or refusal to permit the import or export of products; and

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injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.

The occurrence of any event or penalty described above may inhibit our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates and generate revenue and could require us to expend significant time and resources in response and could generate negative publicity. We may not be able to regain compliance, or we may only be able to regain compliance after a lengthy delay, significant expense, lost revenues and damage to our reputation.

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The FDA’s and other regulatory authorities’ policies may change, and additional laws or government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of our product candidates. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained, which would adversely affect our ability to generate revenue and achieve or sustain profitability. Changes in law or government regulations may also alter the competitive landscape, potentially to our disadvantage.

Certain manufacturers in the market in which we compete distribute certain products without completing the FDA approval process. For example, we believe certain lidocaine topical patches, plaster or poultice products marketed over-the-counter (“OTC”) and without FDA approval, require approval and compete inappropriately with ZTlido. In December 2018, we filed a citizen’s petition asking the FDA to clarify its requirements and take enforcement action against such products. The FDA has not responded with a decision or action. The FDA has generally held the position that requests for enforcement action via citizen petition are not allowed, which may reduce the likelihood of the FDA taking action explicitly in response to our December 2018 petition. Furthermore, we believe the labeling and marketing of certain OTC lidocaine patches products are false and deceptive, which could cause significant damages to our business and a diminution of goodwill in our intellectual property. In February 2021, we filed a complaint against such manufacturers to seek an award of damages and the entry of injective relief enjoining further dissemination of such false and deceptive advertisement. In addition, on March 7, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law, which included statutory provisions reforming FDA’s mechanisms for regulating OTC drugs. Under the CARES Act, the FDA considers a drug to be generally recognized as safe and effective (“GRASE”) if it meets certain requirements, including items such as the active ingredient, indication for use, dosage, route of administration, and labeling set forth in the OTC monograph and related rulemakings. Historically, the FDA was required to establish, revise, and amend an OTC monograph by notice-and-comment rulemaking, which was lengthy and resource-intensive. The CARES Act replaces the rulemaking process with a final administrative order process. Administrative orders may be initiated by the FDA or at the request of a drug manufacturer or any other person. After a period for public comment on the administrative order, the FDA is able to issue a final administrative order, rather than a regulation, permitting the drug to be marketed over the counter. As this process is much more streamlined and less burdensome, this may benefit the manufacturers of lidocaine topical patches to obtain GRASE status from the FDA and thereby legally market these products over-the-counter and compete with ZTlido.

We also cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative or executive action, either in the United States or abroad. For example, certain policies of the current U.S. administration may impact our business and industry. Namely, the current U.S. administration has taken several executive actions, including the issuance of a number of Executive Orders, that could impose significant burdens on, or otherwise materially delay, the FDA’s ability to engage in routine regulatory and oversight activities such as implementing statutes through rulemaking, issuance of guidance, and review and approval of marketing applications. It is difficult to predict how these executive actions, including the Executive Orders, will be implemented, and the extent to which they will impact the FDA’s ability to exercise its regulatory authority. If these executive actions impose constraints on FDA’s ability to engage in oversight and implementation activities in the normal course, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be negatively affected.

A fast track product designation, breakthrough therapy designation or other designation to facilitate product candidate development may not lead to faster development or regulatory review or approval process, and it does not increase the likelihood that our product candidates will receive marketing approval.

A product sponsor may apply for fast track designation from the FDA if a product is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition and preclinical or clinical data demonstrate the potential to address an unmet medical need for this condition. The FDA has broad discretion whether or not to grant this designation. We have received fast track designation for SEMDEXA for the treatment of sciatica. Even though SEMDEXA has received fast track designation, we may not experience a faster process, review or approval compared to conventional FDA procedures. A fast track designation does not expedite clinical trials, or mean that regulatory requirements are less stringent or provide assurance of ultimate

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marketing approval by the FDA. Instead, fast track designation provides opportunities for frequent interactions with FDA review staff, as well as eligibility for priority review, if relevant criteria are met, and rolling review of individual sections of an NDA submitted to the FDA as they become finalized. The FDA may rescind the fast track designation if it believes that the designation is no longer supported by data from our clinical development program. The FDA may also withdraw any fast track designation at any time.

We have applied for breakthrough therapy designation and expect to seek priority review for SEMDEXA for the treatment of sciatica. A breakthrough therapy is defined as a therapy that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other therapies, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the therapy may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. For therapies that have been designated as breakthrough therapies, interaction and communication between the FDA and the sponsor of the trial can help to identify the most efficient path for clinical development while minimizing the number of patients placed in potentially less efficacious control regimens. Therapies designated as breakthrough therapies by the FDA may also be eligible for priority review and accelerated approval. Designation as a breakthrough therapy is within the discretion of the FDA. Accordingly, even if we believe a product candidate meets the criteria for designation as a breakthrough therapy, the FDA may disagree and instead determine not to provide such designation. In any event, the receipt of a breakthrough therapy designation may not result in a faster development process, review or approval compared to therapies considered for approval under conventional FDA procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the FDA. In addition, even if SEMDEXA qualifies as a breakthrough therapy for sciatica, the FDA may later decide that SEMDEXA no longer meets the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened.

If approved, our products candidates regulated as biologics may face competition from biosimilars approved through an abbreviated regulatory pathway.

The ACA includes a subtitle called the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (the “BPCIA”), which created an abbreviated approval pathway under section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act (the “PHSA”) for biological products that are biosimilar to or interchangeable with an FDA-licensed reference biological product. Under the BPCIA, a section 351(k) application for a biosimilar or interchangeable product may not be submitted to the FDA until four years following the date that the reference product was first licensed by the FDA. In addition, the approval of a biosimilar or interchangeable product may not be made effective by the FDA until 12 years from the date on which the reference product was first licensed. During this 12-year period of exclusivity, another company may still market a competing version of the reference product if the FDA approves a full Biologics License Application (“BLA”) for the competing product submitted under section 351(a) of the PHSA containing the competing sponsor’s own pre-clinical data and data from adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to demonstrate the safety, purity, and potency of the other company’s biological product. The law is complex and is still being interpreted and implemented by the FDA. As a result, its ultimate impact, implementation, and meaning are subject to uncertainty.

Whether approval of a biological product qualifies for reference product exclusivity turns on whether FDA consider the approval a “first licensure”. Not every licensure of a biological product is considered a “first licensure” that gives rise to its own exclusivity period. Other aspects of the BPCIA, some of which may impact the BPCIA exclusivity provisions, have also been the subject of recent litigation. Moreover, the extent to which a biosimilar, once licensed, will be substituted for any one of our product candidates in a way that is similar to traditional generic substitution for non-biological products is not yet clear, and will depend on a number of marketplace and regulatory factors that are still developing. If competitors are able to obtain marketing approval for biosimilars referencing our product candidates, our product candidates may become subject to competition from such biosimilars, with the attendant competitive pressure and consequences.

Changes in funding for the FDA could hinder its ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, or otherwise prevent new products and services from being developed or commercialized in a timely manner, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the

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payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.

Disruptions at the FDA and other regulatory authorities may also slow the time necessary for new drugs to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, over the last several years, including for 35 days beginning on December 22, 2018, the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, have had to furlough critical employees and stop critical activities. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Separately, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 10, 2020, the FDA announced its intention to postpone most inspections of foreign manufacturing facilities, and on March 18, 2020, the FDA temporarily postponed routine surveillance inspections of domestic manufacturing facilities. Subsequently, on July 10, 2020, the FDA announced its intention to resume certain on-site inspections of domestic manufacturing facilities subject to a risk-based prioritization system. Increased cases associated with a COVID-19 variant led the FDA to again pause inspections, although the FDA announced in February 2022 that it would resume routine domestic surveillance inspections and that it would proceed with certain foreign surveillance inspections where country conditions permit. Regulatory authorities outside the United States may adopt similar restrictions or other policy measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, or if global health concerns continue to prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting their regular inspections, reviews, or other regulatory activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to comply with health and data protection laws and regulations could lead to government enforcement actions and civil or criminal penalties, private litigation or adverse publicity and could negatively affect our operating results and business.

We and our collaborators are subject to federal, state and foreign data protection laws and regulations which address privacy and data security. In the United States, such laws may include, but are not limited to, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including the U.S. federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and its implementing regulations, state data breach notification laws, state health information privacy laws and federal and state consumer protection laws, including Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, which govern the collection, use, disclosure and protection of health-related and other personal information.

Although we are not subject to HIPAA, as we are neither a Covered Entity nor Business Associate (as defined in HIPAA), we may have access to very sensitive data regarding patients who participate, or whose tissue samples or other biospecimens are used, in our clinical trials. The maintenance of this data imposes upon us administrative and financial burdens, and litigation risks. In addition, we may obtain health information from third parties, including research institutions from which we obtain clinical trial data that are subject to privacy and security requirements under HIPAA and other privacy and data security and consumer protection laws. Depending on the facts and circumstances, we could be subject to criminal penalties if we knowingly receive individually identifiable health information maintained by a HIPAA-Covered Entity in a manner that is not authorized or permitted by HIPAA, and subject to other civil and/or criminal penalties if we obtain, use, or disclose information in a manner not permitted by other privacy and data security and consumer protection laws. Our ability to use or disclose information may be limited by the scope of an authorization signed by clinical trial subjects or the terms of the contract that we enter into with providers or other data sources.

Furthermore, states are constantly adopting new laws or amending existing laws relating to the data privacy and security and consumer protection, requiring attention to frequently changing regulatory requirements. For example, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”), which

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creates new individual privacy rights for California consumers and places increased privacy and security obligations on entities handling personal data of consumers or households. The CCPA requires covered companies to provide new disclosure to consumers about such companies’ data collection, use and sharing practices, provide such consumers new ways to opt-out of certain sales or transfers of personal information, and provide consumers with a private right of action in connection with certain types of incidents. The CCPA has been amended several times, and will be significantly updated from the California Privacy Rights Act (the “CPRA”), a ballot initiative that passed in November 2020 and which will go into effect on January 1, 2023. The CPRA introduced significant amendments to the CCPA and also created a new state agency vested with authority to implement and enforce the CCPA and the CPRA, the California Privacy Protection Agency (the “CPPA”). New implementing regulations are expected to be introduced by the CPPA. Virginia also recently enacted a CCPA/CPRA-like law, the Virginia Consumer Data Privacy Act (the “VDCPA”), to provide its residents with similar rights. New legislation enacted in various other states will continue to shape the data privacy environment nationally. Certain state laws may be more stringent or broader in scope, or offer greater individual rights, with respect to confidential, sensitive and personal information than federal, international or other state laws, and such laws may differ from each other, which may complicate compliance efforts. The effects on our business of the CCPA, CPRA, VDCPA and other similar state laws and general consumer protection authorities are potentially significant, and may require us to modify our data processing practices and policies and to incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply. Privacy laws and regulations are constantly evolving and there are a number of legislative proposals at both the state and federal level that could impose new obligations or limitations in areas affecting our business.

The Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) also sets expectations for failing to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure, or failing to provide a level of security commensurate to promises made to individual about the security of their personal information (such as in a privacy notice) may constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (the “FTC Act”). The FTC expects a company’s data security measures to be reasonable and appropriate in light of the sensitivity and volume of consumer information it holds, the size and complexity of its business, and the cost of available tools to improve security and reduce vulnerabilities. Individually identifiable health information is considered sensitive data that merits stronger safeguards. With respect to privacy, the FTC also sets expectations that companies honor the privacy promises made to individuals about how the company handles consumers’ personal information. Any failure to honor promises, such as the statements made in a privacy policy or on a website, may also constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of the FTC Act. While we do not intend to engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, the FTC has the power to enforce promises as it interprets them, and events that we cannot fully control, such as data breaches, may be result in FTC enforcement. Enforcement by the FTC under the FTC Act can result in civil penalties or enforcement actions.

International data protection laws, including Regulation 2016/679, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), may also apply to health-related and other personal information obtained outside of the United States. The GDPR imposes several data protection requirements in the European Union, as well as imposes potential fines for noncompliant companies of up to the greater of €20 million or 4% of annual global revenue. The regulation imposes numerous requirements for the collection, use, storage and disclosure of personal information, including more stringent requirements relating to consent and the information that must be shared with data subjects about how their personal information is used, the obligation to notify regulators and affected individuals of personal data breaches, extensive new internal privacy governance obligations and obligations to honor expanded rights of individuals in relation to their personal information, including the right to access, correct and delete their data. In addition, the GDPR includes restrictions on cross-border data transfers. The GDPR increased our responsibility and liability in relation to personal data that we process where such processing is subject to the GDPR, and we may be required to put in place additional mechanisms to ensure compliance with the GDPR, including as implemented by individual European Union countries. Further, the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, often referred to as Brexit, has led and could also lead to legislative and regulatory changes and may increase our compliance costs. As of January 1, 2021 and the expiry of transitional arrangements agreed to between the United Kingdom and the European Union, data processing in the United Kingdom is governed by a United Kingdom version of the GDPR (combining the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018), exposing us to two parallel regimes, each of which authorizes similar fines and

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other potentially divergent enforcement actions for certain violations. On June 28, 2021, the European Commission adopted an Adequacy Decision for the United Kingdom, allowing for the relatively free exchange of personal information between the European Union and the United Kingdom, however, the European Commission may suspend the Adequacy Decision if it considers that the United Kingdom no longer provides for an adequate level of data protection. Other jurisdictions outside the European Union are similarly introducing or enhancing privacy and data security laws, rules and regulations.

Compliance with U.S. and international data protection laws and regulations could require us to take on more onerous obligations in our contracts, increase our compliance costs, restrict our ability to collect, use and disclose data, or in some cases, impact our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions. We cannot guarantee that we are, or will be, in compliance with all applicable international regulations as they are enforced now or as they evolve. Claims that we have violated individuals’ privacy rights, failed to comply with data protection laws or breached our contractual obligations, even if we are not found liable, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend and could result in adverse publicity that could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business involves the use of hazardous materials and we and third-parties with whom we contract must comply with environmental laws and regulations, which can be expensive and restrict how we do business.

Our research and development activities involve the controlled storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials, including the components of our product candidates and other hazardous compounds. We and manufacturers and suppliers with whom we may contract are subject to laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these hazardous materials. In some cases, these hazardous materials and various wastes resulting from their use are stored at our manufacturers’ facilities pending their use and disposal. We cannot eliminate the risk of contamination, which could cause an interruption of our commercialization efforts, research and development efforts and business operations, environmental damage resulting in costly clean-up and liabilities under applicable laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and specified waste products. We cannot guarantee that the safety procedures utilized by third-party manufacturers and suppliers with whom we may contract will comply with the standards prescribed by laws and regulations or will eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. We do not carry specific biological or hazardous waste insurance coverage, and our property, casualty and general liability insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for damages and fines arising from biological or hazardous waste exposure or contamination. Accordingly, in the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or be penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources and state or federal or other applicable authorities may curtail our use of certain materials and/or interrupt our business operations. We may incur substantial costs in order to comply with current or future environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. These current or future laws and regulations may impair our research, development or production efforts. Furthermore, environmental laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent. We cannot predict the impact of such changes and cannot be certain of our future compliance.

Our employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners, and vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including non-compliance with regulatory standards and requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are exposed to the risk of fraud, illegal activity or other misconduct by our employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners and vendors. Misconduct by employees could include intentional, reckless and/or negligent conduct that fails to comply with the laws and regulations of the FDA, EU Member States, EMA and other similar foreign regulatory bodies, provide true, complete and accurate information to the FDA, EMA and other similar foreign regulatory bodies, comply with manufacturing standards we have established, comply with federal and state health-care fraud and abuse laws and regulations, comply with laws and regulations, including, but not limited to the FCPA and internal policies restricting payments to government agencies and representatives, report financial information or data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to us. In particular, sales, marketing and business arrangements in the healthcare industry are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive

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programs and other business arrangements. Misconduct by employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners and vendors could also involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious harm to our reputation. It is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by our employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners and vendors, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or FDA debarment or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including the imposition of significant fines or other sanctions and serious harm to our reputation.

We may be subject, directly or indirectly, to federal and state healthcare fraud and abuse laws, false claims laws, transparency and disclosure, or sunshine, laws, government price reporting, and health information privacy and security laws. If we are unable to comply, or have not fully complied, with such laws, we could face substantial penalties.

Our current and future arrangements with healthcare professionals, clinical sites and clinical investigators, consultants, customers, patient organizations and third-party payors may subject us to various federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the federal False Claims Act. These laws may impact, among other things, our current activities with clinical study investigators and research subjects, as well as our current and future sales, marketing, patient assistance and education programs. In addition, we may be subject to physician payment transparency laws and patient privacy regulation by both the federal government and the states and foreign jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. The laws that may affect our ability to operate include, but are not limited to:

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the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits, among other things, persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce, or in return for, either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing, recommending, or arranging for an item or service for which payment may be made under a federal healthcare program, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs — a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute or special intent to violate the law in order to have committed a violation; in addition, the government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal False Claims Act;

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federal civil and criminal false claims laws, including the False Claims Act, which prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment of government funds, or knowingly making, using, or causing to be made or used a false statement material to a false or fraudulent claim, or knowingly concealing or knowingly and improperly avoiding or decreasing an obligation to pay money to the federal government. The False Claims Act has been used to assert liability on the basis of kickbacks and other improper referrals, improperly reported government pricing metrics such as Best Price or Average Manufacturer Price, and improper promotion of off-label uses (i.e., uses not expressly approved by the FDA in a drug’s label);

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HIPAA, which imposes criminal liability for, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private third party payors, or falsifying or covering up a material fact or making any materially false or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for health care benefits, items or services — similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation;

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HIPAA and its implementing regulations, which imposes certain requirements relating to the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information;

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the federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act, which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the

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Children’s Health Insurance Program (with certain exceptions) to report annually to CMS information related to payments or other transfers of value made to physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and chiropractors), teaching hospitals and, beginning in 2022, certain other healthcare professionals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by the physicians described above and their immediate family members;

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federal consumer protection and unfair competition laws, which broadly regulate marketplace activities and activities that potentially harm consumers;

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the FDCA, which prohibits, among other things, the adulteration or misbranding of drugs, biologics and medical devices;

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federal government price reporting laws, which require drug manufacturers to calculate and report complex pricing metrics to government agencies, including CMS and Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), where such reported prices may be used in the calculation of reimbursement and/or discounts on marketed products paid by government healthcare programs. Participation in these programs and compliance with the applicable requirements may result in potentially significant discounts on products subject to reimbursement under federal healthcare programs and increased infrastructure costs, and may potentially limit a drug manufacturer’s ability to offer certain marketplace discounts;

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the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, which restricts the manner in which manufacturers may disseminate complimentary drug samples to healthcare practitioners, requires physical and accounting controls, and establishes penalties for improper sample distribution; and

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state law equivalents of each of the above federal laws, such as licensing, anti-kickback, false claims, consumer protection and unfair competition laws which may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including commercial insurers, state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government that otherwise restricts payments that may be made to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources; state laws that require drug manufacturers to file reports with states regarding pricing information and marketing expenditures, such as the tracking and reporting of gifts, compensations and other remuneration and items of value provided to healthcare professionals and entities, and state laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and may not have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts.

In addition, any future research and development of our product candidates outside the United States, and any future sales of our product or product candidates once commercialized outside the United States will also likely subject us to foreign equivalents of the healthcare laws mentioned above, among other foreign laws.

Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the statutory exceptions and safe harbors available, it is possible that some of our business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. The risk of our being found in violation of these laws is increased by the fact that many of them have not been fully interpreted by the regulatory authorities or the courts, and their provisions are open to a variety of interpretations. Efforts to ensure that our business practices and arrangements with third parties will comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. Any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business.

If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to, without limitation, civil, criminal, and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, disgorgement, exclusion from government-funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid or similar programs in other countries or jurisdictions, integrity oversight and reporting obligations to resolve allegations of non-compliance, imprisonment, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings and curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of the physicians or other healthcare providers or entities with whom we expect to do business is found not to be in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil

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or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from participation in government healthcare programs, which could also materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The FDA and other regulatory agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses.

If we are found to have improperly promoted off-label uses of ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates, if approved, or if we are found to have improperly engaged in pre-approval promotion prior to the approval of such product candidates, we may become subject to significant liability. Such enforcement has become more common in the industry. The FDA and other regulatory agencies strictly regulate the promotional claims that may be made about prescription products, such as ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, if approved. In particular, a product may not be promoted for uses that are not approved by the FDA or such other regulatory agencies as reflected in the product’s approved labeling. If we receive marketing approval for our product candidates for our proposed indications, physicians may nevertheless use our product for their patients in a manner that is inconsistent with the approved label, if the physicians believe in their professional medical judgment it could be used in such manner. However, if we are found to have promoted our product for any off-label uses, the federal government could levy civil, criminal and/or administrative penalties, and seek fines against us. The FDA, Department of Justice or other regulatory authorities could also request that we enter into a consent decree or a corporate integrity agreement, or seek a permanent injunction against us under which specified promotional conduct is monitored, changed or curtailed. If we cannot successfully manage the promotion of ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates, if approved, we could become subject to significant liability, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Healthcare reform measures could hinder or prevent our product candidates’ commercial success.

There have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes to health care systems in the United States and abroad that could impact our ability to sell our products profitably. The United States government and other governments have shown significant interest in pursuing healthcare reform. For example, in 2010, the ACA was enacted, which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers in the United States. Healthcare reform measures like the ACA may adversely impact the pricing of healthcare products and services in the United States or internationally and the amount of reimbursement available from governmental agencies or other third-party payors.

Since its enactment, there have been ongoing efforts to modify the ACA and its implementing regulations. For example, tax legislation enacted at the end of 2017 includes provisions that, effective January 1, 2019, eliminated the tax penalty for individuals who do not maintain sufficient health insurance coverage, or the so-called “individual mandate.” It is unclear how healthcare reform measures enacted by Congress or implemented by the Biden administration or efforts, if any, to modify the ACA or its implementing regulations, or portions thereof, will impact our business. Litigation and legislation over the ACA and other healthcare reform measures are likely to continue, with unpredictable and uncertain results. Further, additional legislative changes to and regulatory changes under or related to the ACA remain possible.

In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA was enacted. In August 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, led to aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers of, on average, 2% per fiscal year. These reductions went into effect in April 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will remain in effect through 2030, with the exception of a temporary suspension from May 1, 2020, through May 31, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law provides for 1% Medicare sequestration in the second quarter of 2022 and allows the full 2% sequestration thereafter until 2030. To offset the temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2030, the sequestration will be 2.25% for the first half of the year, and 3% in the second half of the year. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 further reduced Medicare payments to several providers, including hospitals and cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.

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Moreover, payment methodologies may be subject to changes in healthcare legislation and regulatory initiatives. For example, CMS may develop new payment and delivery models, such as bundled payment models. In addition, recently there has been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several U.S. Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to drug pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under government payor programs, and review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, as addressed further in the risk factor below titled “If we fail to comply with our reporting and payment obligations under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program or other governmental pricing programs once our products come to market, we could be subject to additional reimbursement requirements, penalties, sanctions, and fines, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and future prospects.” While any proposed measures may require authorization through additional legislation to become effective, Congress and the Biden administration have each indicated that it will continue to seek new legislative and/or administrative measures to control drug costs. We expect that additional U.S. federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that federal health care programs and commercial payers will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in reduced demand for ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, if approved, or additional pricing pressures.

Individual states in the United States have also increasingly passed legislation and implemented regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Legally-mandated price controls on payment amounts by third-party payors or other restrictions could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, regional healthcare authorities and individual hospitals are increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be included in their prescription drug and other healthcare programs. Furthermore, there has been increased interest by third-party payors and governmental authorities in reference pricing systems and publication of discounts and list prices. These or other reforms could reduce the ultimate demand for ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates, if approved, or put pressure on our product pricing.

We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action in the United States. If we or any third parties we may engage are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we or such third parties are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, ZTlido may lose any regulatory approval that may have been obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability.

If we fail to comply with our reporting and payment obligations under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program or other governmental pricing programs applicable to our product or product candidates, if approved, we could be subject to additional reimbursement requirements, penalties, sanctions and fines, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

Pricing and rebate calculations vary across products and programs, are complex, and are often subject to interpretation by manufacturers, governmental or regulatory agencies and the courts. Such interpretation can change and evolve over time. In the case of Medicaid pricing data, if a manufacturer becomes aware that its reporting for a prior quarter was incorrect, or has changed as a result of recalculation of the pricing data, the manufacturer is obligated to resubmit the corrected data for up to three years after those data originally were due. Such restatements and recalculations increase costs for complying with the laws and regulations governing the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and could result in an overage or underage in rebate liability for past quarters. Price recalculations also may affect the ceiling price at which a manufacturer is required to offer its products under the 340B program.

A failure to comply with reporting and payment obligations under the Medicaid Drug Rebate program and other governmental programs could negatively affect financial results. CMS issued a final regulation, which became effective on April 1, 2016, to implement the changes under the ACA to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. The final regulation has increased and will continue to increase costs and the complexity of compliance, has been and will continue to be time-consuming to implement, and could have a material

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adverse effect on the results of operations, particularly if CMS challenges the approach a manufacturer has taken in the implementation of the final regulation. Other regulations and coverage expansion by various governmental agencies relating to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program may have a similar impact.

Manufacturers have obligations to report the average sales price for certain of drugs to the Medicare program as a part of the agreement to participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate program. For calendar quarters beginning January 1, 2022, manufacturers are required to report the average sales price for certain drugs under the Medicare program regardless of whether they participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate program. Statutory or regulatory changes or CMS guidance could affect the average sales price calculations for products and the resulting Medicare payment rate, and could negatively affect results of operations. Starting in 2023, manufacturers must pay refunds to Medicare for single source drugs or biologics, or biosimilar biological products, reimbursed under Medicare Part B and packaged in single-dose containers or single-use packages, for units of discarded drug reimbursed by Medicare Part B in excess of 10% of total allowed charges under Medicare Part B for that drug. Manufacturers that fail to pay refunds could be subject to civil monetary penalties of 125 percent of the refund amount. Congress further could enact a Medicare Part B inflation rebate, under which manufacturers would owe additional rebates if the average sales price of a drug were to increase faster than the pace of inflation.

Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) issued a final regulation regarding the calculation of the 340B ceiling price and the imposition of civil monetary penalties on manufacturers that knowingly and intentionally overcharge covered entities, which became effective on January 1, 2019. Implementation of this regulation has affected manufacturer obligations and potential liability under the 340B program. Manufacturers are also required to report the 340B ceiling prices for covered outpatient drugs to HRSA, which then publishes them to 340B covered entities. Any charge by HRSA that a manufacturer has violated the requirements of the program or the regulation could negatively affect financial results. Moreover, under a final regulation effective January 13, 2021, HRSA newly established an administrative dispute resolution (“ADR”) process for claims by covered entities that a manufacturer has engaged in overcharging, and by manufacturers that a covered entity violated the prohibitions against diversion or duplicate discounts. Such claims are to be resolved through an ADR panel of government officials rendering a decision that can be appealed to a federal court. An ADR proceeding could subject a manufacturer to onerous procedural requirements and could result in additional liability. Further, any additional future changes to the definition of average manufacturer price and the Medicaid rebate amount under the ACA or otherwise could affect our 340B ceiling price calculations and negatively affect results of operations.

Civil monetary penalties can be applied if a manufacturer (i) is found to have knowingly submitted any false price or product information to the government, (ii) is found to have made a misrepresentation in the reporting of its average sales price, (iii) fails to submit the required price data on a timely basis, or (iv) is found to have knowingly and intentionally charged 340B covered entities more than the statutorily mandated ceiling price. CMS could also decide to terminate the Medicaid Drug Rebate Agreement, or HRSA, or to terminate the 340B program participation agreement, in which case federal payments may not be available under Medicaid or Medicare Part B for the manufacturer’s covered outpatient drugs.

In addition, manufacturers are required to provide to CMS a 70% discount on brand name prescription drugs utilized by Medicare Part D beneficiaries when those beneficiaries are in the coverage gap phase of the Part D benefit design. Congress could enact legislation that sunsets this discount program and replaces it with a new manufacturer discount program. Under either program, civil monetary penalties could be applied if a manufacturer fails to provide these discounts in the amount of 125 percent of the discount that was due. Furthermore, Congress could enact a Medicare Part D inflation rebate, under which manufacturers would owe additional rebates if the average manufacturer price of a drug were to increase faster than the pace of inflation.

Congress could also enact additional changes that affect our overall rebate liability and the information we report to the government as part of price reporting calculations. In addition, Congress could enact a drug price negotiation program under which the prices for certain high Medicare spend single source drugs would be capped by reference to the non-federal average manufacturer price. This or any other legislative change could impact the market conditions for our products. We expect continued scrutiny on government price reporting and pricing more generally from Congress, agencies, and other bodies and are seeing an increase in state interest in price reporting, transparency and other policies to address drug pricing concerns.

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Pursuant to applicable law, knowing provision of false information in connection with price reporting or contract-based requirements under the VA Federal Supply Schedule and/or Tricare programs can subject a manufacturer to civil monetary penalties. These programs and contract-based obligations also contain extensive disclosure and certification requirements. If a manufacturer overcharges the government in connection with its arrangements with Federal Supply Schedule or Tricare, the manufacturer may be required to refund the difference to the government. Failure to make necessary disclosures or to identify contract overcharges can result in allegations against us under the False Claims Act and other laws and regulations. Unexpected refunds to the government, and/or response to a government investigation or enforcement action, would be expensive and time-consuming, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

We will need to obtain prior FDA authorization for any proposed product brand names, and any failure or delay associated with such approval may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Any brand names we intend to use for our product candidates will require authorization from the FDA regardless of whether we have secured a formal trademark registration from the PTO. The FDA typically conducts a review of proposed product brand names, including an evaluation of potential for confusion with other product names. The FDA may also object to a product brand name if it believes the name inappropriately implies medical claims. If the FDA objects to any of our proposed product brand names, we may be required to adopt an alternative brand name for our product candidates. If we adopt an alternative brand name, we would lose the benefit of our existing trademark applications for such product candidate and may be required to expend significant additional resources in an effort to identify a suitable product brand name that would qualify under applicable trademark laws, not infringe the existing rights of third parties and be acceptable to the FDA. We may be unable to build a successful brand identity for a new trademark in a timely manner, or at all, which would limit our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates.

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws, as well as export control laws, customs laws, sanctions laws and other laws governing our operations. If we fail to comply with these laws, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties, other remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations are subject to certain anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA, and other anti-corruption laws that apply in countries where we conduct business, including performing clinical trials. The FCPA and other anti-corruption laws generally prohibit us and our employees and intermediaries from bribing, being bribed or making other prohibited payments to government officials or other persons to obtain or retain business or gain some other business advantage. We, our commercial partners and our affiliates operate in a number of jurisdictions that pose a risk of potential FCPA violations and we participate in collaborations and relationships with third parties whose actions could potentially subject us to liability under the FCPA or local anti-corruption laws. In addition, we cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our international operations might be subject or the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted.

There can be no assurance that we will be completely effective in ensuring our compliance with all applicable anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA or other legal requirements, such as trade control laws. Any investigation of potential violations of the FCPA, other anti-corruption laws or trade control laws by U.S., European Union or other authorities could have an adverse impact on our reputation, our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, should we be found not to be in compliance with the FCPA, other anti-corruption laws or trade control laws, we may be subject to criminal and civil penalties, disgorgement and other sanctions and remedial measures, as well as the accompanying legal expenses, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and liquidity, as well as on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Scilex’s Relationship with Sorrento

Certain of our directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions with Sorrento.

Following the Business Combination, Mr. Jaisim Shah, Dr. Henry Ji, Mr. Dorman Followwill, Ms. Laura J. Hamill, Dr. Tien-Li Lee, Mr. David Lemus, and Mr. Tommy Thompson will serve on the New

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Scilex Board. Mr. Jaisim Shah and Dr. Henry Ji, who will also be our executive officers, will retain their positions as members of the board of directors of Sorrento (and in the case of Dr. Henry Ji, the positions of President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors of Sorrento).

While our board of directors has determined that Mr. Dorman Followwill, Ms. Laura J. Hamill, Dr. Tien-Li Lee, Mr. David Lemus, and Mr. Tommy Thompson are “independent directors” within the meaning of applicable regulatory and stock exchange requirements in the United States, both Mr. David Lemus and Mr. Dorman Followwill have served and, after the Business Combination, are expected to continue to serve, as directors of Sorrento (and in the case of Mr. Dorman Followwill, the Lead Independent Director of Sorrento) and Tommy Thompson has served and, after the Business Combination, is expected to continue to serve, as special consultant to the Chief Executive Officer of Sorrento, Dr. Henry Ji. Further, Dr. Tien-Li Lee is the founder, the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Aardvark, which has been involved in an asset purchase transaction with Sorrento in connection with Sorrento’s acquisition of Aardvark’s delayed burst release low dose naltrexone formulation asset and intellectual property rights. As part of Sorrento’s investment in Aardvark relating to such asset purchase transaction, Sorrento paid cash for shares of Aardvark’s Series B Preferred Stock, resulting in Sorrento holding approximately 8% of Aardvark’s ownership interest as of December 31, 2021. Also as part of such investment, Dr. Henry Ji joined the board of directors of Aardvark in May 2021. Sorrento and Aardvark may enter into more commercial arrangements in the future.

In addition, such directors and officers may own shares of Sorrento common stock, options to purchase shares of Sorrento common stock or other Sorrento equity awards. These individuals’ holdings of Sorrento common stock, options to purchase shares of Sorrento common stock or other equity awards of Sorrento may be significant for some of these persons compared to these persons’ total assets. Their position at Sorrento and the ownership of any Sorrento equity or equity awards creates, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for Sorrento than the decisions have for us. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between Sorrento and us regarding the terms of the agreements governing the transition services and the relationship thereafter between the companies. Potential conflicts of interest may also arise if we enter into commercial arrangements with Sorrento in the future. As a result of these actual or apparent conflicts, we may be precluded from pursuing certain growth initiatives.

Sorrento currently performs or supports many of our important corporate functions. Our financial statements may not necessarily be indicative of the conditions that would have existed or our results of operations if we had been operated as an unaffiliated company of Sorrento, and we will incur significant charges in connection with the Business Combination and incremental costs as a stand-alone public company.

We will need to replicate or replace certain functions, systems and infrastructure to which we will no longer have the same access after the Business Combination. We may also need to make investments or hire additional employees to operate without the same access to Sorrento’s existing operational and administrative infrastructure. These initiatives may be costly to implement. Due to the scope and complexity of the underlying projects relative to these efforts, the amount of total costs could be materially higher than our estimate, and the timing of the incurrence of these costs is subject to change.

Sorrento currently performs or supports many important corporate functions for our company. Our financial statements reflect charges for these services on an allocation basis. As a result, our historical financial statements may not be reflective of conditions that would have existed or what our results of operations would have been had we been a stand-alone public company and no longer a majority-owned subsidiary of Sorrento. Following the Business Combination, pursuant to agreements we expect to enter into with Sorrento, we expect that Sorrento will continue to provide us with some of the services related to these functions on a transitional basis in exchange for agreed-upon fees, and we expect to incur other costs to replace the services and resources that will not be provided by Sorrento. We will also incur additional costs as a stand-alone public company. As a stand-alone public company, our total costs related to certain support functions may differ from the costs that were historically allocated to us from Sorrento. In addition, in the future, we expect to incur internal costs to implement certain new systems, including infrastructure and an enterprise resource planning system, while our legacy systems are currently being fully supported by Sorrento.

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We may not be able to replace these services or enter into appropriate third-party agreements on terms and conditions, including cost, comparable to those that we will receive from Sorrento under our agreements with Sorrento. Additionally, after the agreements terminate, we may be unable to sustain the services at the same levels or obtain the same benefits as when we were receiving such services and benefits from Sorrento. When we begin to operate these functions separately, if we do not have our own adequate systems and business functions in place, or are unable to obtain them from other providers, we may not be able to operate our business effectively or at comparable costs, and our profitability may decline. In addition, we have historically received informal support from Sorrento, which may not be addressed in our agreements with Sorrento. The level of this informal support will diminish or cease following the Business Combination.

We are controlled by Sorrento, whose interests may differ from those of our public shareholders.

Immediately following the Business Combination, Sorrento will control a minimum of approximately 90.4% of the voting power of the New Scilex Common Stock, which means that, based on its percentage voting power controlled after the Business Combination, Sorrento will control the vote of all matters submitted to a vote of the New Scilex stockholders. This control will enable Sorrento to control the election of the members of the New Scilex Board and all other corporate decisions. In particular, for so long as Sorrento continues to own a majority of the New Scilex Common Stock, Sorrento will be able to cause or prevent a change of control of New Scilex or a change in the composition of the New Scilex Board and could preclude any unsolicited acquisition of New Scilex.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and the Proposed Charter, which will take effect upon completion of the Business Combination, Sorrento will have certain rights, and the ability to take certain actions, that are not otherwise available to all New Scilex stockholders. For example, the Registration Rights Agreement provides Sorrento the right, following the Business Combination and subject to certain conditions, to demand that New Scilex file a registration statement or request that their shares of New Scilex Common Stock be covered by a registration statement that New Scilex is otherwise filing. See the section titled “Description of New Scilex Securities — Registration Rights” for additional information regarding these rights. In addition, until such time as Sorrento first ceases to own greater than 50% of the outstanding voting power of the New Scilex Common Stock, the Proposed Charter will effectively provide Sorrento with the ability to fill vacancies on the New Scilex Board, remove directors (with or without cause), call a special meeting of the New Scilex stockholders, amend the Proposed Charter (subject to approval of the New Scilex Board) and amend the Proposed Bylaws. The directors so elected will have the authority, subject to the terms of our indebtedness and applicable rules and regulations, to issue additional stock, implement stock repurchase programs, declare dividends and make other decisions. See the section titled “Description of New Scilex Securities — Anti-Takeover Matters in New Scilex’s Governing Documents and Under Delaware Law” for additional information regarding Sorrento’s ability to take such actions.

Even when Sorrento ceases to control a majority of the total voting power of New Scilex, for so long as Sorrento continues to own a significant percentage of the New Scilex Common Stock, Sorrento will still be able to significantly influence the composition of the New Scilex Board and the approval of actions requiring stockholder approval. Accordingly, for such period of time, Sorrento will have significant influence with respect to New Scilex’s management, business plans and policies. Because of the significant ownership position held by Sorrento and New Scilex’s classified board structure, new investors may not be able to effect a change in New Scilex’s business or management. The concentration of ownership and availability of the foregoing rights could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares of common stock as part of a sale of our company and ultimately might affect the market price of the New Scilex Common Stock.

Furthermore, the interests of Sorrento may not be aligned with those of other New Scilex stockholders and this could lead to actions that may not be in the best interests of our other stockholders. For example, Sorrento may have different tax positions or strategic plans for New Scilex, which could influence its decisions regarding whether and when New Scilex should dispose of assets or incur new or refinance existing indebtedness. Additionally, Sorrento’s significant ownership in New Scilex may discourage someone from making a significant equity investment in New Scilex, or could discourage transactions involving a change in control.

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In addition, Sorrento and its affiliates engage in a broad spectrum of activities, including investments in our industry generally. In the ordinary course of their business activities, Sorrento and its affiliates may engage in activities where their interests conflict with our interests or those of New Scilex’s other stockholders, such as investing in or advising businesses that directly or indirectly compete with certain portions of New Scilex’s business or those businesses that are suppliers or customers of ours. The Proposed Charter will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, none of Sorrento and its affiliates and any person or entity who, while a stockholder, director, officer or agent of us or any of our affiliates, is a director, officer, principal, partner, member, manager, employee, agent and/or other representative of Sorrento and its affiliates (each an “Identified Person”) will have any duty to refrain from (i) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which we or our affiliates are engaged or that are deemed to be competing with us or any of our affiliates or (ii) otherwise investing in or providing services to any person that competes with us or our affiliates engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which we operate. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person will have any obligation to offer us or our subsidiaries or affiliates the right to participate in any corporate opportunity in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which we or our affiliates are engaged or that are deemed to be competing with us or any of our affiliates. This means that Sorrento may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. In addition, Sorrento may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions that, in its judgment, could enhance its investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to the New Scilex stockholders or may not prove beneficial.

New Scilex will be subject to recently enacted state laws in California that require gender and diversity quotas for boards of directors of public companies headquartered in California.

In September 2018, California enacted Senator Bill 826 (“SB 826”), which generally requires public companies with principal executive offices in California to have at least two female directors on its board of directors if the company has at least five directors, and at least three female directors on its board of directors if the company has at least six directors. SB 826 has been challenged in legal proceedings and there is uncertainty as to whether a court would uphold SB 826.

Additionally, on September 30, 2020, California enacted Assembly Bill 979 (“AB 979”), which generally requires public companies with principal executive offices in California to include specified numbers of directors from “underrepresented communities”. A director from an “underrepresented community” means a director who self-identifies as Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. By December 31, 2021, each public company with principal executive offices in California was required to have at least one director from an underrepresented community. By December 31, 2022, a public company with more than four but fewer than nine directors will be required to have a minimum of two directors from underrepresented communities, and a public company with nine or more directors will need to have a minimum of three directors from underrepresented communities. On April 1, 2022, the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles entered an order striking down AB 979, holding that the statute violates the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution. On June 2, 2022, a notice of appeal was filed and thus litigation regarding AB 979 will continue. We cannot assure that New Scilex can recruit, attract and/or retain qualified members of the New Scilex Board and meet gender and diversity quotas as required by SB 826 or AB 979, if upheld. We do not currently expect that the New Scilex board of directors will satisfy the quota required under SB 826, if upheld. A failure to comply with either SB 826 or AB 979, in each case if upheld, could result in fines from the California Secretary of State, with a $100,000 fine for the first violation and a $300,000 fine for each subsequent violation of either law, and New Scilex’s reputation may be adversely affected.

Risks Related to Ownership of New Scilex Common Stock

If the perceived benefits of the Business Combination do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysists, the market price of Vickers’s securities prior to the Closing may decline. The market

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values of Vickers’s securities at the time of the Business Combination may vary significantly from their prices on the date of the Merger Agreement was executed, the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, or the date on which Vickers’s shareholders vote on the Business Combination.

In addition, following the Business Combination, fluctuations in the price of New Scilex’s securities could contribute to the loss of all or part of a stockholder’s investment. Prior to the Business Combination, there has not been a public market for Scilex Common Stock. Accordingly, the valuation ascribed to New Scilex in the Business Combination may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading market following the Business Combination. The market prices for securities of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have historically been highly volatile, and the market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. If an active market for New Scilex’s securities develops and continues, the market price of its common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, some of which are beyond New Scilex’s control, such as:

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New Scilex’s ability to commercialize ZTlido, GLOPERBA or its product candidates, if approved;

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the status and cost of New Scilex’s marketing commitments for ZTlido, GLOPERBA and its product candidates;

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announcements regarding results of any clinical trials relating to New Scilex’s product candidates;

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unanticipated serious safety concerns related to the use of ZTlido, GLOPERBA or any of New Scilex’s product candidates;

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adverse regulatory decisions;

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changes in laws or regulations applicable to ZTlido, GLOPERBA or New Scilex’s product candidates, including but not limited to clinical trial requirements for approvals;

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legal disputes or other developments relating to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and New Scilex’s ability to obtain patent protection for ZTlido, GLOPERBA or its product candidates, government investigations and the results of any proceedings or lawsuits, including, but not limited to, patent or stockholder litigation;

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New Scilex’s decision to initiate a clinical trial, not initiate a clinical trial or to terminate an existing clinical trial;

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New Scilex’s dependence on third parties;

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announcements of the introduction of new products by New Scilex’s competitors;

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market conditions and trends in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors;

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announcements concerning product development results or intellectual property rights of others;

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future issuances of common stock or other securities;

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the recruitment or departure of key personnel;

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failure to meet or exceed any financial guidance or expectations regarding product development milestones that New Scilex may provide to the public;

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actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results;

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New Scilex’s failure to meet or exceed the estimates and projections of the investment community;

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overall performance of the equity markets and other factors that may be unrelated to New Scilex’s operating performance or the operating performance of its competitors, including changes in market valuations of similar companies;

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announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by New Scilex or its competitors;

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changes in financial estimates by New Scilex or by any securities analysts who might cover its stock;

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fluctuation of the market values of any of New Scilex’s potential strategic investments;

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issuances of debt or equity securities;

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compliance with New Scilex’s contractual obligations, including compliance with affirmative and restrictive covenants in the Indenture;

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sales of New Scilex Common Stock by New Scilex or its stockholders in the future;

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trading volume of New Scilex Common Stock;

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ineffectiveness of New Scilex’s internal controls;

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publication of research reports about New Scilex or its industry or positive or negative recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage by securities analysts;

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failure to effectively integrate the operations of Semnur;

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general political and economic conditions;

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effects of natural or man-made catastrophic events;

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effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and

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other events or factors, many of which are beyond New Scilex’s control.

Further, the equity markets in general have recently experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Continued market fluctuations could result in extreme volatility in the price of New Scilex Common Stock, which could cause a decline in the value of its common stock. Price volatility of New Scilex Common Stock might worsen if the trading volume of its common stock is low. In the past, stockholders have initiated class action lawsuits against pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies following periods of volatility in the market prices of these companies’ stock. Such litigation, if instituted against New Scilex, could cause it to incur substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from its business. The realization of any of the above risks or any of a broad range of other risks, including those described in these “Risk Factors”, could have a dramatic and material adverse impact on the market price of New Scilex Common Stock.

Scilex has not paid cash dividends in the past and New Scilex does not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return on investment may be limited to the capital appreciation, if any, of New Scilex Common Stock.

Scilex has not paid cash dividends on its common stock and New Scilex does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on New Scilex’s capital stock will depend on its earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting New Scilex at such time as its board of directors may consider relevant. In addition, New Scilex’s ability to pay dividends is limited by the Indenture and may be limited by covenants in future outstanding indebtedness that New Scilex or its subsidiaries may incur. Since New Scilex does not intend to pay dividends, a stockholder’s ability to receive a return on such stockholder’s investment will depend on any future appreciation in the market value of its common stock. There is no guarantee that New Scilex Common Stock will appreciate or even maintain the price at which its stockholders have purchased it.

Future sales of a substantial number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock may cause the price of its common stock to decline.

If New Scilex’s existing stockholders sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of the New Scilex Common Stock after the closing of the Business Combination, the trading price of the New Scilex Common Stock could decline and it could impair New Scilex’s ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. Sorrento and certain directors and equityholders of Vickers, including the Sponsors, are subject to lock-up provisions that restrict their ability to transfer shares of New Scilex Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchanged for New Scilex Common Stock until 180 days from the Effective Time, subject to certain exceptions.

New Scilex’s operating results may fluctuate significantly.

New Scilex expects its operating results to be subject to quarterly, and possibly annual, fluctuations. New Scilex’s net loss and other operating results will be affected by numerous factors, including:

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variations in the level of expenses related to New Scilex’s development programs;

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the addition or termination of clinical trials;

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any intellectual property infringement lawsuit in which New Scilex may become involved;

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regulatory developments affecting ZTlido, GLOPERBA or New Scilex’s product candidates, regulatory approvals of its product candidates, and the level of underlying demand for such products and purchasing patterns; and

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New Scilex’s execution of any collaborative, licensing or similar arrangements, and the timing of payments New Scilex may make or receive under these arrangements.

If New Scilex’s quarterly or annual operating results fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of its common stock could decline substantially. Furthermore, any quarterly or annual fluctuations in New Scilex’s operating results may, in turn, cause the price of its common stock to fluctuate substantially.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about New Scilex’s business, or if they issue an adverse opinion regarding its stock, its stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for New Scilex Common Stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about New Scilex or its business. New Scilex does not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. Since New Scilex will become public through a merger, securities analysts of major brokerage firms may not provide coverage of New Scilex since there is no incentive to brokerage firms to recommend the purchase of its common stock. If no or few securities or industry analysts commence coverage of New Scilex, the trading price for its stock would be negatively impacted. In the event New Scilex obtains securities or industry analyst coverage, if any of the analysts who cover it issues an adverse opinion regarding New Scilex, its business model, its intellectual property or its stock performance, or if its clinical trials and operating results fail to meet the expectations of analysts, its stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of New Scilex or fail to publish reports on it regularly, New Scilex could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause its stock price or trading volume to decline.

Raising additional capital may cause dilution to New Scilex’s existing stockholders, restrict its operations or require it to relinquish rights to ZTlido or its product candidates.

New Scilex may issue additional equity securities to fund future expansion and pursuant to equity incentive or employee benefit plans. It may also issue additional equity for other purposes. These securities may have the same rights as New Scilex Common Stock or, alternatively, may have dividend, liquidation or other preferences to New Scilex Common Stock, including New Scilex Common Stock issued in connection with the Business Combination. The issuance of additional equity securities will dilute the holdings of existing stockholders and may reduce the share price of New Scilex Common Stock.

Pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan, which will become effective the day prior to the Closing, New Scilex will be authorized to grant equity awards to its employees, directors and consultants. In addition, pursuant to the ESPP, which will become effective the day prior to the Closing, New Scilex will be authorized to sell shares to its employees. A total of and shares of common stock have been reserved for future issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan and the ESPP, respectively. In addition, the Equity Incentive Plan and ESPP provide for annual automatic increases in the number of shares reserved thereunder, beginning on January 1, 2023. As a result of such annual increases, New Scilex’s stockholders may experience additional dilution, which could cause the price of New Scilex Common Stock to fall.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into in connection with the Business Combination, certain stockholders of Vickers and Scilex can each demand that New Scilex register their registrable securities under certain circumstances and will each also have piggyback registration rights for these securities. In addition, following the Closing, New Scilex will be required to file and maintain an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering such securities and certain of its other securities. The registration of these securities will permit the public sale of such securities, subject to

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certain contractual restrictions imposed by the Registration Rights Agreement and the Merger Agreement. The presence of these additional shares of common stock trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of New Scilex’s securities.

If New Scilex raises additional funds through collaboration, licensing or other similar arrangements, New Scilex may have to relinquish valuable rights to ZTlido or its product candidates, or grant licenses on terms unfavorable to New Scilex. If adequate funds are not available, New Scilex’s ability to achieve profitability or to respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited and New Scilex may be required to delay, significantly curtail or eliminate the development of its product candidates.

New Scilex’s principal stockholders, directors and executive officers will own a significant percentage of its capital stock, and have significant influence over New Scilex’s management.

Following the closing of the Business Combination, New Scilex’s directors, executive officers, holders of 5% or more of New Scilex’s capital stock and their respective affiliates are expected to beneficially own, in the aggregate, a minimum of approximately 91% of New Scilex’s outstanding voting stock. This concentration of voting power may make it less likely that any other holder of New Scilex Common Stock will be able to affect the way New Scilex is managed and could delay or prevent an acquisition of New Scilex on terms that other stockholders may desire. This could prevent transactions in which stockholders might otherwise recover a premium for their shares over current market prices. See “Risk Factors — We are controlled by Sorrento, whose interests may differ from those of our public shareholders” above for additional information regarding Sorrento’s influence and control in New Scilex. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for information regarding the ownership of New Scilex’s outstanding stock by its directors, executive officers, and current beneficial owners of 5% or more of New Scilex’s voting securities and their respective affiliates.

New Scilex’s ability to use its net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to limitation.

Generally, a change of more than 50% in the ownership of a company’s stock, by value, over a three-year period constitutes an ownership change for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An ownership change may limit New Scilex’s ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards attributable to the period prior to the change. New Scilex has experienced a corporate reorganization in the past and may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of the Business Combination and/or subsequent changes in its stock ownership (some of which shifts are outside its control). As a result, if New Scilex earns net taxable income, its ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards to offset U.S. federal taxable income may become subject to limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability for New Scilex.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”), among other things, includes changes to U.S. federal tax rates and the rules governing net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards. For NOLs arising in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the TCJA limits a taxpayer’s ability to utilize NOL carryforwards to 80% of taxable income. In addition, NOLs arising in tax years ending after December 31, 2017 can be carried forward indefinitely, but carryback is generally prohibited. NOLs generated in tax years beginning before January 1, 2018 will not be subject to the taxable income limitation, and NOLs generated in tax years ending before January 1, 2018 will continue to have a two-year carryback and 20-year carryforward period. Deferred tax assets for NOLs will need to be measured at the applicable tax rate in effect when the NOL is expected to be utilized. The changes in the carryforward/carryback periods, as well as the new limitation on use of NOLs may significantly impact New Scilex’s ability to utilize its NOLs to offset taxable income in the future.

If New Scilex’s estimates or judgments relating to its critical accounting policies are based on assumptions that change or prove to be incorrect, its operating results could fall below its publicly announced guidance or the expectations of securities analysts and investors, resulting in a decline in the market price of its common stock.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in New Scilex’s combined consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. New Scilex bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of

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assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. If New Scilex’s assumptions change or if actual circumstances differ from its assumptions, its operating results may be adversely affected and could fall below its publicly announced guidance or the expectations of securities analysts and investors, resulting in a decline in the market price of New Scilex Common Stock.

Anti-takeover provisions in the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of New Scilex, which may be beneficial to its stockholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by its stockholders to replace or remove New Scilex’s current management.

The Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws, each of which will be in effect upon completion of the Business Combination, and the DGCL contains provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire New Scilex, even if doing so might be beneficial to New Scilex’s stockholders. Among other things, these provisions include:

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allow the New Scilex Board to authorize the issuance of undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and the shares of which may be issued without stockholder approval, and which may include supermajority voting, special approval, dividend, or other rights or preferences superior to the rights of other stockholders;

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provide for a classified board of directors with staggered three-year terms;

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provide that, at any time after the Sorrento Group first ceases to beneficially own more than 50% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of New Scilex Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Sorrento Trigger Event”), directors may only be removed for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 662∕3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of New Scilex Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class;

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prohibit stockholder action by written consent from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event;

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provide that, at any time after the Sorrento Trigger Event, special meetings may only be called by or at the direction of the Chairman of the New Scilex Board, the New Scilex Board or the Chief Executive Officer;

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provide that, at any time after the Sorrento Trigger Event, any alteration, amendment or repeal, in whole or in part, of any provision of the Proposed Bylaws by New Scilex’s stockholders will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of the New Scilex Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class; and

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establish advance notice requirements for nominations for elections to the New Scilex Board and for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

Section 203 of the DGCL generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date on which the stockholder became an interested stockholder. New Scilex has expressly elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL until the occurrence of a Sorrento Trigger Event. At that time, such election shall be automatically withdrawn and New Scilex will thereafter be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL, except that the restrictions on business combinations of Section 203 of the DGCL will not apply to Sorrento or its current or future Affiliates (as defined in the Proposed Charter) regardless of its percentage ownership of New Scilex Common Stock. These provisions could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of New Scilex. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for New Scilex’s stockholders to elect directors of their choosing and cause New Scilex to take other corporate actions they desire, including actions that New Scilex’s stockholders may deem advantageous. In addition, because the New Scilex Board is responsible for appointing the members of New Scilex’s management team, these provisions could in turn affect any attempt by New Scilex’s stockholders to replace current members of New Scilex’s management team.

These anti-takeover provisions and other provisions in the Proposed Charter, the Proposed Bylaws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirors to obtain control of the New Scilex Board or initiate actions that are opposed by New Scilex’s then-current board of directors and

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could also delay or impede a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving New Scilex. The existence of these provisions could negatively affect the price of New Scilex Common Stock and limit opportunities for a stockholder to realize value in a corporate transaction. For information regarding these and other provisions, see the section titled “Description of New Scilex Securities.” In addition, if prospective takeovers are not consummated for any reason, New Scilex may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on the price of New Scilex Common Stock.

The Proposed Charter that will be in effect upon the Closing will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by New Scilex’s stockholders and the federal district courts of the United States as the exclusive forum for litigation arising under the Securities Act, which could limit New Scilex’s stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with New Scilex.

Pursuant to the Proposed Charter, which New Scilex will adopt upon the completion of the Business Combination, unless it consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and any appellate court therefrom, will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on New Scilex’s behalf; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of New Scilex’s current or former directors, officers, employees or stockholders to New Scilex or its stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against New Scilex or any of its current or former directors, officers, employees or stockholders arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Proposed Charter or the Proposed Bylaws; (iv) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Proposed Charter or the Proposed Bylaws; (v) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against New Scilex or any of its current or former directors, officers, employees or stockholders as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and (vi) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim,” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing forum selection provision will not apply to claims arising under the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

The Proposed Charter will also provide that, unless New Scilex consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. The Proposed Charter will further provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of New Scilex Common Stock is deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of the Proposed Charter described above. See the section titled “Description of New Scilex Securities — Anti-Takeover Measures in New Scilex’s Governing Documents and Under Delaware Law — Exclusive Forum.”

The forum selection provisions in the Proposed Charter may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against New Scilex’s directors and officers. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings and there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provisions. In addition, investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. If the enforceability of New Scilex’s forum selection provisions were to be challenged, it may incur additional costs associated with resolving such challenge. While New Scilex currently has no basis to expect any such challenge would be successful, if a court were to find its forum selection provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of these specified types of actions or proceedings, New Scilex may incur additional costs associated with having to litigate in other jurisdictions, which could result in a diversion of the time and resources of New Scilex’s employees, management and board of directors, and could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

New Scilex will be an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. For as long as New Scilex continues to be an emerging growth company, it may take advantage of exemptions from various

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reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding nonbinding advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. New Scilex cannot predict if investors will find its common stock less attractive because New Scilex may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find New Scilex Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for New Scilex Common Stock and its stock price may be more volatile.

New Scilex 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 closing of the IPO, (b) in which it has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which it is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which requires the market value of its common stock that is held by non-affiliates to equal or exceed $700 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such year, and (2) the date on which New Scilex has issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. New Scilex has irrevocably elected not to avail itself of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. As a result, changes in rules of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or their interpretation, the adoption of new guidance or the application of existing guidance to changes in New Scilex’s business could significantly affect New Scilex’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Additionally, Vickers is a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S ‑K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. Following the Business Combination, Vickers expects that New Scilex will no longer be a smaller reporting company because it will be a majority-owned subsidiary of Sorrento.

After the Business Combination, Sorrento will continue to control a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of New Scilex Common Stock. As a result, New Scilex will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of Nasdaq. Under these corporate governance standards, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements. For example, controlled companies, within one year of the date of the listing of their common stock:

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are not required to have a board that is composed of a majority of “independent directors” as defined under the Nasdaq Listing Rules;

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are not required to have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors or have a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and

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are not required to have director nominations be made, or recommended to the full board of directors, by its independent directors or by a nominating and corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors, and to adopt a written charter or a board resolution addressing the nominations process.

While we do not presently intend to rely on these exemptions, New Scilex may opt to utilize these exemptions in the future as long as it remains a controlled company. Accordingly, New Scilex stockholders

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may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.

If New Scilex ceases to be a “controlled company” in the future, it will be required to comply with the Nasdaq listing standards, which may require replacing a number of its directors and will require development of certain other governance-related policies and practices. These and any other actions necessary to achieve compliance with such rules may increase New Scilex’s legal and administrative costs, will make some activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly and may also place additional strain on New Scilex’s personnel, systems and resources.

New Scilex will incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and its management will devote substantial time to related compliance initiatives.

As a public company, New Scilex will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that Scilex did not incur as a private company, and these expenses may increase even more after it is no longer an “emerging growth company.” New Scilex will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), as well as rules and regulations adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and Nasdaq. New Scilex’s management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, New Scilex expects these rules and regulations to substantially increase its legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly, which will increase its operating expenses. For example, New Scilex expects these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for New Scilex to obtain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and New Scilex may be required to incur substantial costs to maintain sufficient coverage. New Scilex cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of additional costs it may incur to respond to these requirements. The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for New Scilex to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the New Scilex Board, New Scilex’s board committees or as executive officers. Advocacy efforts by stockholders and third parties may also prompt additional changes in governance and reporting requirements, which could further increase costs.

In addition, New Scilex expects that it will need to implement an enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system. An ERP system is intended to combine and streamline the management of New Scilex’s financial, accounting, human resources, sales and marketing and other functions, enabling it to manage operations and track performance more effectively. However, an ERP system would likely require New Scilex to complete many processes and procedures for the effective use of the system or to run its business using the system, which may result in substantial costs. Any disruptions or difficulties in implementing or using an ERP system could adversely affect New Scilex’s controls and harm its business, financial condition and results of operations, including its ability to forecast or make sales and collect its receivables. Moreover, such disruption or difficulties could result in unanticipated costs and diversion of management attention.

As a public company, New Scilex will be required to incur additional costs and obligations in order to comply with SEC rules that implement Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Under these rules, New Scilex will be required to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting, and once it ceases to be an emerging growth company, New Scilex will be required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by its independent registered public accounting firm. To achieve compliance with Section 404 within the prescribed period, New Scilex will be engaging in a process to document and evaluate its internal control over financial reporting, which is both costly and challenging. In this regard, New Scilex will need to continue to dedicate internal resources, potentially engage outside consultants and adopt a detailed work plan to assess and document the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting, continue steps to improve control processes as appropriate, validate through testing that controls are designed and operating effectively, and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting.

The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess New Scilex’s internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards under the rules. During the course of its testing, New Scilex’s management may identify material weaknesses or deficiencies which may not be remedied in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. See “Risk Factors — We have identified a material weakness

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in our internal control over financial reporting. Any material weakness may cause us to fail to timely and accurately report our financial results or result in a material misstatement of our financial statements.” above for additional information regarding a previously identified material weakness. These reporting and other obligations place significant demands on New Scilex’s management and administrative and operational resources, including accounting resources.

In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time-consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. New Scilex intends to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of its management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If New Scilex’s efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against New Scilex and there could be a material adverse effect on New Scilex’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

New Scilex’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from the unaudited pro forma financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what New Scilex’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination been completed on the dates indicated. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” for more information.

New Scilex’s failure to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements could result in a delisting of its common stock.

If, after the completion of the Business Combination, New Scilex fails to satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, such as the corporate governance requirements or the minimum closing bid price requirement, Nasdaq may take steps to delist New Scilex Common Stock. Such a delisting would likely have a negative effect on the price of New Scilex Common Stock and would impair a stockholder’s ability to sell or purchase New Scilex Common Stock when a stockholder wishes to do so. In the event of a delisting, New Scilex can provide no assurance that any action taken by it to restore compliance with listing requirements would allow its common stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of its common stock, prevent its common stock from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements.

Comprehensive U.S. federal income tax reform could adversely affect New Scilex.

Changes to tax laws, which changes may have retroactive application, could adversely affect New Scilex or holders of New Scilex Common Stock. In recent years, many changes have been made to applicable tax laws and changes are likely to continue to occur in the future.

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the TCJA, which significantly reforms the Code. The TCJA, among other things, includes changes to U.S. federal tax rates, imposes significant additional limitations on the deductibility of interest, allows for the expensing of capital expenditures, and puts into effect the migration from a “worldwide” system of taxation to a modified territorial system. In addition, on March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the CARES Act which included certain changes in tax law intended to stimulate the U.S. economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including temporary beneficial changes to the treatment of net operating losses, interest deductibility limitations and payroll tax matters. Future changes in tax laws could have a material adverse effect on New Scilex’s business, cash flow, financial condition or results of operations. The impact of these tax reforms on holders of New Scilex Common Stock is uncertain and could be adverse. New Scilex urges its stockholders, including

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purchasers of common stock in the Business Combination, to consult with their legal and tax advisors with respect to such legislation and the potential tax consequences of investing in New Scilex Common Stock.

The Warrants will become exercisable for New Scilex Common Stock, which would increase the number of shares eligible for future resale in the public market and result in dilution to its stockholders.

Outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 13,740,000 shares of New Scilex Common Stock will become exercisable in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement governing those securities, commencing on the date of the completion of the Business Combination. The exercise price of these Warrants is $11.50 per share. To the extent such Warrants are exercised, additional shares of New Scilex Common Stock will be issued, which will result in dilution to the holders of New Scilex Common Stock and increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares in the public market, or the fact that such Warrants may be exercised, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices of New Scilex Common Stock. However, there is no guarantee that the Warrants will ever be in the money prior to their expiration, and as such, the Warrants may expire worthless. See below risk factor, “The Warrants may never be in the money, and they may expire worthless and the terms of the Warrants may be amended in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Warrants approve of such amendment.”

The Warrants may never be in the money, they may expire worthless and the terms of the Warrants may be amended in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Warrants approve of such amendment.

The Warrants were issued in registered form under the Warrant Agreement between Continental, as warrant agent, and Vickers. The Warrant Agreement provides that the terms of the Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision or correct any mistake, but requires the approval by the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of Warrants. Accordingly, New Scilex may amend the terms of the Warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Warrants approve of such amendment. Although New Scilex’s ability to amend the terms of the Warrants with the consent of majority of the then-outstanding Warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the Warrants, convert the Warrants into cash, shorten the exercise period, or decrease the number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of a Warrant.

New Scilex may redeem any unexpired Warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making the Warrants worthless.

New Scilex has the ability to redeem outstanding Warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per Warrant, provided that the closing price of New Scilex Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share dividends, rights issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) on each of 20 trading days within any 30-trading-day period commencing after the Warrants become exercisable and ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. If and when the Warrants become redeemable by New Scilex, New Scilex may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. Redemption of the outstanding Warrants could force the holders thereof to: (i) exercise such Warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for a holder to do so; (ii) sell such Warrants at the then-current market price when a holder might otherwise wish to hold such Warrants; or (iii) accept the nominal redemption price that, at the time the outstanding Warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of such Warrants.

In addition, New Scilex may redeem the Warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration for a number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock determined based on the fair market value of New Scilex Common Stock. The value received upon exercise of the Warrants (1) may be less than the value the holders would have received if they had exercised their Warrants at a later time where the underlying share price is higher and (2) may not compensate the holders for the value of the Warrants.

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Risks Related to Vickers and the Business Combination

If Vickers is unable to complete a business combination by January 11, 2023, and is forced to liquidate, the per-share liquidation distribution will be $10.29. Furthermore, if Vickers is forced to liquidate, all outstanding Warrants will expire worthless.

If third parties bring claims against Vickers, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be reduced and the per share liquidation price received by Vickers’s shareholders may be less than $10.10 per share.

Vickers’s placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against Vickers. Although Vickers has received from many of the vendors, service providers (other than its independent accountants) and prospective target businesses with which it does business executed agreements waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of Vickers’s public shareholders, they may still seek recourse against the Trust Account. Additionally, a court may not uphold the validity of such agreements. Accordingly, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to claims which could take priority over those of Vickers’s public shareholders. If Vickers liquidates the Trust Account before the completion of a business combination and distributes the proceeds held therein to its public shareholders, the Sponsors have contractually agreed that they will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by Vickers for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to Vickers, but only if such a vendor or prospective target business does not execute such a waiver. However, Vickers cannot assure you that it will be able to meet such obligation. Therefore, the per-share distribution from the Trust Account for Vickers’s shareholders may be less than the $10.10 per Vickers Ordinary Share initially held in the Trust Account, due to such claims.

Additionally, if Vickers is forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against it which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in Vickers’s bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of its shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, the per share amount that would otherwise be received by Vickers’s shareholders in connection with its liquidation would be reduced.

Any distributions received by Vickers’s shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, Vickers was unable to pay its debts as they fell due in the ordinary course of business.

Vickers’s Current Charter provides that it will continue in existence only until January 11, 2023. If Vickers is unable to consummate a transaction by such date, upon notice from Vickers, the trustee of the Trust Account will distribute the amount in the Trust Account to Vickers’s public shareholders. Concurrently, Vickers shall pay, or reserve for payment, from funds not held in trust, its liabilities and obligations, although Vickers cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose.

Vickers expects that all costs and expenses associated with implementing its plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the approximately $750,000 of proceeds held outside the Trust Account, although it cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. Vickers will depend on sufficient interest being earned on the proceeds held in the Trust Account to pay any tax obligations it may owe or for working capital purposes.

However, Vickers may not properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against it. As such, Vickers’s shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of its stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of the date of distribution. Accordingly, third parties may seek to recover from Vickers’s shareholders amounts owed to them by Vickers.

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If, after Vickers distributes the proceeds in the Trust Account to its public shareholders, Vickers is insolvent or a winding up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Vickers that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential or voidable transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by Vickers’s shareholders. Furthermore, because Vickers intends to distribute the proceeds held in the Trust Account to its public shareholders promptly after expiration of the time Vickers has to complete an initial business combination, this may be viewed or interpreted as giving preferences to the public shareholders over any potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from Vickers’s assets. In addition, the Vickers Board may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty by failing to appropriately take into account the interests of Vickers’s creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and Vickers to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.

If Vickers’s due diligence investigation of Scilex was inadequate, then shareholders of Vickers following the Business Combination could lose some or all of their investment.

Even though Vickers conducted a due diligence investigation of Scilex, Vickers cannot be sure that this diligence uncovered all material issues that may be present inside Scilex or its business, or that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of Scilex’s and Vickers’s control will not later arise. As a result, Vickers may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure its operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in losses. Even if Vickers’s due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with Vickers’s preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and may not have an immediate impact on Vickers’s liquidity, the fact that Vickers reports charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about New Scilex’s or Vickers’s securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause Vickers to be unable to obtain future financing on favorable terms or at all. Accordingly, any Vickers shareholder who chooses to remain a stockholder of New Scilex following the Business Combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by Vickers’s officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation relating to the Business Combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.

Stockholder litigation and regulatory inquiries and investigations are expensive and could harm Vickers’s business, financial condition and operating results and could divert management attention.

In the past, securities class action litigation and/or stockholder derivative litigation and inquiries or investigations by regulatory authorities have often followed certain significant business transactions, such as the sale of a company or announcement of any other strategic transaction, such as the Business Combination. Any stockholder litigation and/or regulatory investigations against Vickers, whether or not resolved in Vickers’s favor, could result in substantial costs and divert Vickers’s management’s attention from other business concerns, which could adversely affect Vickers’s business and cash resources and the ultimate value Vickers’s shareholders receive as a result of the Business Combination.

The Initial Shareholders who own Vickers Ordinary Shares and Private Placement Warrants will not participate in liquidation distributions and, therefore, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether the Business Combination is appropriate.

As of the Record Date, the Initial Shareholders owned an aggregate of 3,450,000 Vickers Ordinary Shares and 6,840,000 Private Placement Warrants. They have waived their right to redeem any Vickers Ordinary Shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination or sell any Vickers Ordinary Shares to Vickers in a tender offer in connection with a proposed initial business combination, or to receive distributions with respect to any Vickers Ordinary Shares upon the liquidation of the Trust Account if Vickers is unable to consummate a business combination. Based on a market price of $10.28 per Vickers Ordinary Share on July 19, 2022, the value of the founder shares was approximately $35.4 million. The Private Placement Warrants (including underlying securities) and founder shares acquired

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prior to the IPO will be worthless if Vickers does not consummate a business combination. Consequently, Vickers’s directors’ discretion in identifying and selecting Scilex as a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of the Business Combination are appropriate and in Vickers’s public shareholders’ best interest.

Vickers is requiring shareholders who wish to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.

Vickers is requiring shareholders who wish to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares to either tender their certificates to Continental or to deliver their Vickers Ordinary Shares to Continental electronically using the DTC’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System at least two business days before the Meeting. Any failure to observe these procedures will result in your loss of redemption rights in connection with the vote on the Business Combination. In order to obtain a physical certificate, a shareholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and Continental will need to act to facilitate this request. It is Vickers’s understanding that shareholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from Continental. However, because Vickers does not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical certificate. While Vickers has been advised that it takes a short time to deliver Vickers Ordinary Shares through the DWAC System, it cannot assure shareholders of this fact. Accordingly, if it takes longer than Vickers anticipates for shareholders to deliver their Vickers Ordinary Shares, shareholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares. If, despite Vickers’s compliance with the proxy rules, a public shareholder fails to receive Vickers’s proxy materials, such public shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem his, her, or its public shares. In addition, the proxy materials that Vickers is furnishing to holders of public shares in connection with the Business Combination describes the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly redeem the public shares. In the event that a public shareholder fails to comply with these procedures, its public shares may not be redeemed.

Vickers will require its public shareholders who wish to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares in connection with the Business Combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption described above, such redeeming shareholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the Business Combination is not consummated.

If Vickers requires public shareholders who wish to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares in connection with the proposed Business Combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption as described above and the Business Combination is not consummated, Vickers will promptly return such certificates to its public shareholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares in such a circumstance will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until Vickers has returned their securities to them. The market price of Vickers Ordinary Shares may decline during this time and such investors may not be able to sell their securities when they wish to, even while other shareholders that did not seek redemption may be able to sell their securities.

There is no guarantee that a shareholder’s decision whether to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account will put the shareholder in a better future economic position.

Vickers can give no assurance as to the price at which a shareholder may be able to sell its Vickers Ordinary Shares in the future following the completion of the Business Combination or any alternative business combination. Certain events following the consummation of any initial business combination, including this Business Combination, may cause an increase in Vickers Ordinary Share price, and may result in a lower value realized now for a shareholder redeeming their shares than a shareholder of Vickers might realize in the future. Similarly, if a shareholder does not redeem their shares, the shareholder will bear the risk of ownership of the Vickers Ordinary Shares after the consummation of any initial business combination, and there can be no assurance that a shareholder can sell its shares in the future for a greater amount than the redemption price set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. A shareholder should consult the shareholders’ own tax and/or financial advisor for assistance on how this may affect his, her or its individual situation.

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Vickers’s Warrants are accounted for as liabilities and the changes in value of Vickers’s Warrants could have a material effect on its financial results.

On April 12, 2021, the SEC issued a statement (the “SEC Staff Statement”) discussing the accounting implications of certain terms that are common in warrants issued by special purpose acquisition companies. In light of the SEC Staff Statement and guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815-40, “Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity,” Vickers’s management evaluated the terms of the Warrant Agreement entered into in connection with the IPO and concluded that the Warrants include provisions that, based on the SEC Staff Statement, preclude the Warrants from being classified as components of equity. As a result, Vickers has classified the Warrants as liabilities. Under this accounting treatment, Vickers is required to measure the fair value of the Warrants at the end of each reporting period and recognize the non-cash changes in the fair value from the prior period in Vickers’s operating results for the current period. As a result of the recurring fair value measurement, Vickers’s financial statements and results of operations may fluctuate quarterly based on factors that are outside its control. Vickers expects that it will recognize non-cash gains or losses due to the quarterly fair valuation of the Warrants and that such gains or losses could be material.

If Vickers’s security holders exercise their registration rights with respect to their securities, it may have an adverse effect on the market price of Vickers’s securities.

Vickers’s Initial Shareholders are entitled to make a demand that Vickers register the resale of their founder shares at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which their shares may be released from escrow. Additionally, the Sponsors, Initial Shareholders, officers, directors, or their affiliates may be issued Working Capital Warrants in payment of Working Capital Loans made to Vickers, are entitled to demand that Vickers register the resale of the Private Placement Warrants (and the underlying securities) commencing at any time after Vickers consummates an initial business combination. If such persons exercise their registration rights with respect to all of their securities, then there will be an additional 3,450,000 Vickers Ordinary Shares and 6,840,000 Private Placement Warrants (and underlying securities) eligible for trading in the public market and such additional number of Working Capital Warrants into which any Working Capital Loans may be converted. The presence of these additional Vickers Ordinary Shares, Public Warrants, Working Capital Warrants and Private Placement Warrants (and underlying securities) trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of Vickers’s securities.

Vickers will not obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third party as to the fairness of the Business Combination.

Vickers is not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking or accounting firm that the price Vickers is paying in connection with the Business Combination is fair to Vickers from a financial point of view. The Vickers Board did not obtain a third-party valuation or fairness opinion in connection with its initial determination to approve and recommend the Business Combination. Accordingly, Vickers’s public shareholders will be relying solely on the judgment of the Vickers Board in valuing Scilex’s business and assuming the risk that the Vickers Board may not have properly valued the Business Combination.

The Sponsors and Vickers’s directors and executive officers have agreed to vote in favor of the Business Combination, regardless of how Vickers’s public shareholders vote.

The Sponsors and Vickers’s directors and executive officers have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Business Combination. The Sponsors and Vickers’s directors own approximately 26.2% of Vickers’s outstanding shares prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, it is more likely that the necessary shareholder approval for the Business Combination will be received than would be the case if the Sponsors and Vickers’s directors had agreed to vote their shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by Vickers’s public shareholders.

Vickers’s Sponsors, management and directors and their respective affiliates and associates have interests in and arising from the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to (and which

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may conflict with), your interests as a shareholder, which could result in a real or perceived conflict of interest. These interests include the fact that certain of the Vickers Ordinary Shares and Units (including the underlying securities) owned by Vickers’s Sponsors, management and directors, or their affiliates and associates, would become worthless if the Business Combination Proposal is not approved and Vickers otherwise fails to consummate a business combination prior to January 11, 2023. These financial interests of the Sponsors, management and directors and their respective affiliates and associates may have influenced their motivation in identifying and selecting Scilex as a business combination target, and their decision to approve the Business Combination. In considering the recommendations of the Vickers Board to vote for the Proposals, the shareholders should consider these interests. See “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination” for additional information.

Vickers and Scilex have incurred and expect to incur significant costs associated with the Business Combination. Whether or not the Business Combination is completed, the incurrence of these costs will reduce the amount of cash available to be used for other corporate purposes by Vickers.

Vickers and Scilex have incurred and expect to incur significant, non-recurring costs associated with the Business Combination. Scilex may also incur additional costs to retain key employees. Whether or not the Business Combination is completed, Vickers expects to incur approximately $ in expenses. These expenses will reduce the amount of cash available to be used for other corporate purposes by Vickers. If the Business Combination is not consummated, Vickers may not have sufficient funds to seek an alternative business combination and may be forced to liquidate and dissolve.

In the event that a significant number of Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed, the New Scilex Common Stock may become less liquid following the Business Combination.

If a significant number of Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed, Vickers may be left with a significantly smaller number of shareholders. As a result, trading in the shares of New Scilex Common Stock may be limited and your ability to sell your shares in the market could be adversely affected. New Scilex intends to apply to list its shares on Nasdaq, and Nasdaq may not list the Common Stock on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in Vickers’s securities and subject Vickers to additional trading restrictions.

New Scilex will be required to meet the initial listing requirements to be listed on Nasdaq. However, New Scilex may be unable to maintain the listing of its securities in the future.

The Vickers Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq. Vickers cannot assure you that New Scilex’s securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq following the Business Combination and New Scilex intends to apply to list its shares on Nasdaq. If Nasdaq delists New Scilex’s securities from trading on its exchange and New Scilex is not able to list its securities on Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange, Vickers could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

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a limited availability of market quotations for its securities;

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reduced liquidity for its securities;

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a determination that New Scilex Common Stock is a “penny stock”, which will require brokers trading in New Scilex Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for its securities;

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a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for New Scilex; and

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a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

The Business Combination is subject to conditions, including certain conditions that may not be satisfied on a timely basis, if at all.

The completion of the Business Combination is subject to a number of conditions. The completion of the Business Combination is not assured and is subject to risks, including the risk that approval of the Business Combination by Vickers’s shareholders is not obtained, or that other closing conditions are not satisfied. If Vickers does not complete the Business Combination, it could be subject to several risks, including:

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•

the parties may be liable for damages to one another under the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement;

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negative reactions from the financial markets, including declines in the price of the Vickers Ordinary Shares due to the fact that current prices may reflect a market assumption that the Business Combination will be completed; and

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the attention of Vickers’s management will have been diverted to the Business Combination rather than the pursuit of other opportunities in respect of an initial business combination.

For more information about the closing conditions to the Business Combination, see the section titled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — The Merger Agreement — Closing Conditions.”

Vickers or Scilex may waive one or more of the conditions to the Business Combination without resoliciting shareholder approval.

Vickers or Scilex may agree to waive, in whole or in part, some of the conditions to its obligations to complete the Business Combination, to the extent permitted by applicable laws. The Vickers Board will evaluate the materiality of any waiver to determine whether amendment of this proxy statement/prospectus and resolicitation of proxies is warranted. In some instances, if the Vickers Board determines that a waiver is not sufficiently material to warrant resolicitation of shareholders, Vickers has the discretion to complete the Business Combination without seeking further shareholder approval. For example, it is a condition to Vickers’s obligations to close the Business Combination that there be no applicable law and no injunction or other order restraining or imposing any condition on the consummation of the Business Combination, however, if the Vickers Board determines that any such order or injunction is not material to the business of Scilex, then the Vickers Board may elect to waive that condition without shareholder approval and close the Business Combination.

Vickers’s ability to successfully effect the Business Combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of its key personnel, including Scilex’s key personnel, all of whom are expected to join New Scilex following the Business Combination. While Vickers intends to closely scrutinize any individuals it engages after the Business Combination, it cannot assure you that its assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct.

Vickers’s ability to successfully effect the Business Combination is dependent upon the efforts of Vickers’s key personnel and the key personnel of Scilex, particularly its Chief Executive Officer, the members of its executive team, and key scientific and medical personnel employees. Although Vickers expects all of such key personnel of Scilex to remain with New Scilex following the Business Combination, it is possible that New Scilex will lose some key personnel, the loss of which could negatively impact the operations and profitability of New Scilex. While Vickers intends to closely scrutinize any individuals it engages after the Business Combination, it cannot assure you that its assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a public company, which could cause Vickers to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect its operations. Additionally, Vickers cannot assure you that New Scilex will be successful in integrating and retaining such key personnel, or in identifying and recruiting additional key individuals New Scilex determines may be necessary following the Business Combination.

Vickers’s shareholders will experience immediate dilution as a consequence of, among other transactions, the issuance of New Scilex Common Stock as consideration in the Business Combination. Having a minority share position may reduce the influence that Vickers’s current shareholders have on the management of Vickers.

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ownership interest of approximately 2.5% of New Scilex. The Scilex stockholders will own approximately 90.5% of New Scilex. If all of the 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed, Vickers’s public shareholders would not own any of New Scilex, the Sponsors, officers, directors and other holders of founder shares will retain an ownership interest of approximately 2.7% and the Scilex stockholders will own approximately 97.3% of New Scilex.

The ownership percentage with respect to New Scilex does not take into account (i) the issuance of any additional shares upon the closing of the Business Combination under the Equity Incentive Plan or the ESPP, or (ii) the reduction in the aggregate merger consideration due to certain specified indebtedness at the Closing. If the actual facts are different from these assumptions (which they are likely to be), the percentage ownership retained by Vickers’s shareholders will be different. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

The Domestication may be a taxable event for U.S. Holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares and Warrants.

Subject to the limitations and qualifications described in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” including the application of the PFIC rules and Section 367(b) of the Code, it is intended that the Domestication qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, and, as a result, a U.S. Holder (as defined below) would not recognize gain or loss on the exchange of Vickers Ordinary Shares or Warrants for New Scilex Common Stock and New Scilex Warrants (collectively, “Domesticated Vickers securities”), as applicable, pursuant to the Domestication.

Alternatively, if the Domestication does not qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, then a U.S. Holder that exchanges its Vickers Ordinary Shares or Warrants for Domesticated Vickers securities will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the fair market value of the Domesticated Vickers securities received and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Vickers Ordinary Shares and Warrants exchanged therefor.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, U.S. Holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares and Warrants may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences under the passive foreign investment company regime. Please see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — U.S. Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities — Passive Foreign Investment Company Status” for a more detailed discussion with respect to Vickers’s potential PFIC status and certain tax implications thereof.

Vickers may be or may have been a PFIC during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder.

If Vickers is a PFIC or has been a PFIC during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, such U.S. Holder may be subject to certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences as a result of the Domestication. There is no assurance that Vickers is not currently or has not been a PFIC during any U.S. Holder’s holding period. If Vickers has been a PFIC for any taxable year during the holding period of a U.S. Holder (and a U.S. Holder of Vickers Ordinary Shares or Warrants has not made certain elections with respect to its Vickers Ordinary Shares or Warrants), such U.S. Holder will likely recognize gain as a result of the Domestication. Please see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — U.S. Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities — Passive Foreign Investment Company Status” for a more detailed discussion with respect to Vickers’s potential PFIC status and certain tax implications thereof.

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THE MEETING

General

Vickers is furnishing this proxy statement/prospectus to the Vickers shareholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Vickers Board for use at the Meeting of Vickers’s shareholders to be held on , 2022 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy statement/prospectus is first being furnished to our stockholders on or about , 2022 in connection with the vote on the Proposals. This proxy statement/prospectus provides you with the information you need to know to be able to vote or instruct your vote to be cast at the Meeting.

Date, Time and Place

The Meeting will be held at the offices of and virtually via live webcast at , Eastern Time, on , or such other date, time and place to which such meeting may be adjourned or postponed, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice. Vickers’s shareholders are strongly requested to attend the Meeting virtually. We are pleased to utilize the virtual shareholder meeting technology to provide ready access and cost savings for our shareholders and Vickers. The virtual meeting format allows attendance from any location in the world. You will be able to attend, vote your shares, view the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting and submit questions during the Meeting via a live audio cast available at .

Virtual Meeting Registration

To register for the virtual Meeting, please follow these instructions as applicable to the nature of your ownership of Vickers Ordinary Shares.

If your shares are registered in your name with Continental and you wish to attend the online-only virtual Meeting, go to , enter the control number you received on your proxy card and click on the “Click here” to preregister for the online meeting link at the top of the page. Just prior to the start of the Meeting you will need to log back into the meeting site using your control number. Pre-registration is recommended but is not required in order to participate in the virtual Meeting.

Beneficial shareholders who wish to participate in the online-only virtual Meeting must obtain a legal proxy by contacting their account representative at the bank, broker, or other nominee that holds their shares and email a copy (a legible photograph is sufficient) of their legal proxy to Morrow Sodali LLC, Toll Free: (800) 662-5200, Collect: (203) 658-9400, E-mail: VCKA.info@investor.morrowsodali.com. Beneficial shareholders who email a valid legal proxy will be issued a meeting control number that will allow them to register to attend and participate in the online-only Meeting. After contacting Continental a beneficial holder will receive an email prior to the Meeting with a link and instructions for entering the virtual Meeting. Beneficial shareholders should contact Continental at least five business days prior to the Meeting date.

Accessing the Virtual Meeting Audio Cast

You will need your control number for access. If you do not have your control number, contact Continental at the phone number or email address below. Beneficial investors who hold shares through a bank, broker or other intermediary, will need to contact them and obtain a legal proxy. Once you have your legal proxy, contact Continental to have a control number generated. Continental contact information is as follows: (212) 509-4000 or email proxy@continentalstock.com.

Record Date; Who is Entitled to Vote

Vickers has fixed the close of business on , 2022, as the record date for determining those Vickers shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of the close of business on , 2022, there were 13,176,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, of which 9,726,395 are public shares and 3,450,000 are founder shares held by the Initial Shareholders. Each holder of Vickers Ordinary Shares is entitled to one vote per share on each Proposal. If your shares

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are held in “street name,” you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee to ensure that shares held beneficially by you are voted in accordance with your instructions.

In connection with our IPO, we entered into certain letter agreements pursuant to which the Initial Shareholders agreed to vote any Vickers Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of our initial business combination. The Initial Shareholders also entered into a certain support agreement with Scilex, pursuant to which they agreed to, among other things, vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and the other Proposals. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Initial Shareholders hold approximately 26.2% of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares.

Quorum and Required Vote for Shareholder Proposals

A quorum of Vickers’s shareholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. The presence, in person, including by virtual attendance, or by proxy, of Vickers’s shareholders representing a majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares as of the Record Date and entitled to vote at the Meeting will constitute a quorum for the Meeting. A quorum will be present at the Meeting if 6,588,198 Vickers Ordinary Shares held by the public shareholders are present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy.

Approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Advisory Governance Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal will each require an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Approval of the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal and the Bylaws Approval Proposal will each require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

In addition to the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Nasdaq Proposal are conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination. If the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, the Business Combination will not take place. Approval of the Business Combination Proposal is also a condition to the other Condition Precedent Proposals. If the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal, or the Nasdaq Proposal are not approved, unless waived, this Business Combination Proposal will have no effect (even if approved by the requisite vote of our stockholders at the Meeting of any adjournment or postponement thereof) and the Business Combination will not occur.

Voting Your Shares

Each Vickers Ordinary Share that you own in your name entitles you to one vote on each Proposal for the Meeting. Your proxy card shows the number of Vickers Ordinary Shares that you own.

There are two ways to ensure that your Vickers Ordinary Shares are voted at the Meeting:

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You can vote your shares by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the pre-paid postage envelope provided so as to be received no later than the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting. If you submit your proxy card, your “proxy,” whose name is listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign and return the proxy card but do not give instructions on how to vote your shares, your shares will be voted, as recommended by the Vickers Board. The Vickers Board recommends voting “FOR” each of the Proposals. If you hold your Vickers Ordinary Shares in “street name,” which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided to you by your broker, bank or nominee to ensure that the votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly represented and voted at the Meeting.

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•

You can participate at the Meeting and vote during the Meeting even if you have previously voted by submitting a proxy as described above. However, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or another nominee, you must get a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee. That is the only way Vickers can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not already voted your shares.

IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD SIGNED BUT WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL (AS WELL AS THE OTHER PROPOSALS).

Revoking Your Proxy

If you give a proxy, you may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by doing any one of the following:

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you may send another proxy card with a later date so that the later proxy card is received no later than the time appointed for the commencement of the Meeting;

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if you are a record holder, you may notify our proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali, in writing before the Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or

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you may participate at the Meeting, revoke your proxy, and vote during the Meeting, as indicated above.

Who Can Answer Your Questions About Voting Your Shares

If you have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your Vickers Ordinary Shares, you may contact Morrow Sodali, our proxy solicitor as follows:

Morrow Sodali LLC
333 Ludlow Street
Stamford, CT 06902
Toll Free: (800) 662-5200
Collect: (203) 658-9400
Email: VCKA.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

No Additional Matters May Be Presented at the Meeting

This Meeting has been called only to consider the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Advisory Governance Proposals, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. Under our Current Charter, other than procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Meeting, no other matters may be considered at the Meeting if they are not included in the notice of the Meeting.

Redemption Rights

Pursuant to our Current Charter, a public shareholder of Vickers Ordinary Shares may demand that Vickers redeem such public shares for cash in connection with a business combination. You may not elect to redeem your public shares other than in connection with the Meeting.

If you are a public shareholder and you seek to have your shares redeemed, you must submit your request in writing that we redeem your public shares for cash no later than , Eastern Time on , 2022 (at least two business days before the Meeting). The request must be signed by the applicable shareholder in order to validly request redemption. A shareholder is not required to submit a proxy card or vote in order to validly exercise redemption rights. The request must identify the holder of the public shares

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to be redeemed and must be sent to Continental at the following address:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th floor
New York, NY 10004
Attention: Mark Zimkind
Email: mzimkind@continentalstock.com

You must tender the Vickers Ordinary Shares for which you are electing redemption at least two business days before the Meeting by either:

•

Delivering certificates representing the Vickers Ordinary Shares to Continental, or

•

Delivering the Vickers Ordinary Shares electronically through the DWAC system.

Any corrected or changed written demand of redemption rights must be received by Continental at least two business days before the Meeting. No demand for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s shares have been delivered (either physically or electronically) to Continental at least two business days prior to the vote at the Meeting.

Public shareholders may seek to have their Vickers Ordinary Shares redeemed regardless of whether they vote for or against the Business Combination and whether or not they are holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares as of the Record Date. Any public shareholder who holds Vickers Ordinary Shares on or before , 2022 (at least two business days before the Meeting) will have the right to demand that his, her or its Ordinary Shares be redeemed for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid, at the consummation of the Business Combination.

In connection with tendering your shares for redemption, you must elect either to physically tender your certificates to Continental or deliver your Vickers Ordinary Shares to Continental electronically using DTC’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, in each case, at least two business days before the Meeting.

If you wish to tender through the DWAC system, please contact your broker and request delivery of your Vickers Ordinary Shares through the DWAC system. Delivering Vickers Ordinary Shares physically may take significantly longer. In order to obtain a physical certificate, a shareholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC, and Continental will need to act together to facilitate this request. It is Vickers’s understanding that shareholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from Continental. Vickers does not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, and it may take longer than two weeks to obtain a physical certificate. Shareholders who request physical certificates and wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for tendering their Vickers Ordinary Shares before exercising their redemption rights and thus will be unable to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares.

In the event that a shareholder tenders its Vickers Ordinary Shares and decides prior to the consummation of the Business Combination that it does not want to redeem its Vickers Ordinary Shares, the shareholder may withdraw the tender. In the event that a shareholder tenders Vickers Ordinary Shares and the Business Combination is not completed, these Vickers Ordinary Shares will not be redeemed for cash and the physical certificates representing these Vickers Ordinary Shares will be returned to the shareholder promptly following the determination that the Business Combination will not be consummated. Vickers anticipates that a shareholder who tenders Vickers Ordinary Shares for redemption in connection with the vote to approve the Business Combination would receive payment of the redemption price for such Vickers Ordinary Shares soon after the completion of the Business Combination.

If properly demanded by Vickers’s public shareholders, Vickers will redeem each Vickers Ordinary Share into a pro rata portion of the funds available in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the anticipated consummation of the Business Combination. As of March 31, 2022, this would amount to approximately $10.18 per Vickers Ordinary Share. If you exercise your redemption rights, you will be exchanging your Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash and will no longer own any public shares of Vickers. Any Public Warrants will be unaffected. Holders of outstanding Units must separate the underlying public

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shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights. If the Units are registered in a holder’s own name, the holder must deliver the certificate for the Units to Continental, with written instructions to separate the Units into their individual component parts. This must be completed far enough in advance to permit the mailing of the certificates back to the holder so that the holder may then exercise his, her or its redemption rights upon the separation of the Units. Each Unit contains one-half of a Public Warrant and no fractional Public Warrants may be issued. If a holder owns an odd number of Public Warrants, the fractional Public Warrant will expire worthless.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of the Vickers Ordinary Shares, together with any affiliate of his or her or any other person with whom he or she is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)-(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than 20% of the Vickers Ordinary Shares.

If a substantial number of Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed, we may not be able to meet certain closing conditions, and as a result, would not be able to proceed with the Business Combination.

Appraisal Rights

There are no appraisal rights available to holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares, Private Placement Warrants, Public Warrants or Units in connection with the proposed Business Combination or the Domestication.

Proxies and Proxy Solicitation Costs

Vickers is soliciting proxies on behalf of the Vickers Board. This solicitation is being made by mail but also may be made by telephone or in person. Vickers and its directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other electronic means. Any solicitation made and information provided in such a solicitation will be consistent with the written proxy statement/prospectus and proxy card. Vickers will bear the cost of solicitation. Morrow Sodali, a proxy solicitation firm that Vickers has engaged to assist it in soliciting proxies, will be paid a fixed fee of approximately $27,500 and be reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses.

Vickers will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward its proxy materials to their principals and to obtain their authority to execute proxies and voting instructions. Vickers will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses.

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PROPOSAL 1 — THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL

Our shareholders are being asked to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Business Combination. Our shareholders should read carefully this proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety, including the section below titled “The Merger Agreement,” for more detailed information concerning the Business Combination and the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement.

All Vickers shareholders should read carefully this proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety for more detailed information concerning the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. You are urged to read carefully the Merger Agreement in its entirety before voting on this Business Combination Proposal.

Vickers may consummate the Business Combination only if all of the Condition Precedent Proposals are approved by the Vickers shareholders in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Structure of the Business Combination

In accordance with Merger Agreement and prior to Closing of the Business Combination, Vickers will complete the Domestication pursuant to which Vickers’s jurisdiction of incorporation will be changed from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware. Following the Domestication, Merger Sub will merge with and into Scilex, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease and Scilex will be the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of New Scilex.

Background of the Business Combination

Vickers is a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated as a blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The Business Combination with Scilex is the result of an active search for a potential business combination transaction utilizing the network and investing and transaction experience of Vickers’s management team and the Vickers Board. The terms of the Merger Agreement are the result of arm’s-length negotiations between representatives of Scilex and Vickers. The following is a brief discussion of the background of these negotiations, the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination. It does not purport to catalogue every conversation and correspondence among representatives of Vickers, Scilex and their respective advisors.

Vickers was incorporated on February 21, 2020 as an exempted company with limited liability for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. In April 2020, we issued an aggregate of 3,593,750 founder shares to Chris Ho, our Chief Financial Officer, for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash, or approximately $0.007 per share. Mr. Ho subsequently transferred such shares to our Sponsors for the same price paid for such shares. In October 2020, we effected a share re-capitalization of 0.2 shares for each share outstanding resulting in there being an aggregate of 4,312,500 founder shares outstanding. In November 2020, our Sponsors agreed to cancel an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares. In January 2021, we effected another share re-capitalization of 0.2 shares for each share outstanding, resulting in our Initial Shareholders holding an aggregate of 3,450,000 founder shares.

The registration statement for our IPO was declared effective on January 6, 2021 and on January 11, 2021, we consummated the IPO of 13,800,000 Units at $10.00 per Unit, including 1,800,000 Units subject to the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Each Unit consists of one Vickers Ordinary Share and one-half of one redeemable warrant (each, a “Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Vickers Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment.

Maxim acted as sole book-running manager for the IPO, and their underwriting fees consisted of $2,400,000 paid at the closing of the IPO and $5,190,000 in deferred underwriting fees to be paid at the closing of the business combination.

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, Vickers consummated the private placement of 6,840,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds of

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$5,130,000. The Private Placement Warrants were purchased by the Sponsors, Vickers Venture Fund VI Pte Ltd and Vickers Venture Fund VI (Plan) Pte Ltd. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for one Vickers Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share.

Expenses associated with the IPO totaled $8,149,473, which also included $559,473 of other operating expenses. Upon consummation of the IPO, Vickers deposited $139,380,000 into the Trust Account for the benefit of the public shareholders and Maxim with respect to the deferred portion of its fee.

Prior to the consummation of the IPO, neither Vickers nor anyone on its behalf, contacted any prospective target businesses or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to a transaction with Scilex.

From the date of the IPO through the execution of the Merger Agreement on March 17, 2022, representatives of Vickers contacted and were contacted by a number of individuals and entities with respect to business combination opportunities and engaged in discussions with several possible target businesses regarding potential transactions. During that period, Vickers reviewed approximately 95 targets in its search, and signed NDAs with 16 targets. Vickers performed detailed due diligence on six targets. The decision not to pursue any particular target business that Vickers analyzed was generally the result of one or more of (i) Vickers’s determination that such business did not represent as attractive a target as Scilex due to a combination of business prospects (including expected revenue growth, nature of customer and supplier arrangements and competitive strength of products and services), strategy, management teams, structure and valuation, (ii) a difference in valuation expectations between Vickers, on the one hand, and the target and/or its owners, on the other hand, or (iii) a potential target’s unwillingness to engage with Vickers given conflicting business objectives on the target’s side.

Vickers was made aware of Scilex pursuant to the Sponsors’ investment in Aardvark. Aardvark is a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic diseases, inflammation and other indications. Dr. Jeffrey Chi has been a board member of Aardvark since May 19, 2019, when the Sponsors made an investment in Aardvark. Aardvark’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tien-Li Lee, is a board member and shareholder of Scilex and had suggested Scilex as a potential business combination partner. Subsequently, Aardvark entered into an agreement with Sorrento to sell its intellectual property for the use of low-dose naltrexone for chronic pain and fibromyalgia which sale was consummated in April 2021. In May 2022, this intellectual property was assigned to Scilex. On May 26, 2021, Sorrento invested $5.0 million in the initial closing of Aardvark’s Series B financing. The Sponsors subsequently also invested in Aardvark’s Series B financing in July 2021. The Vickers Board did not believe these affiliations presented a conflict of interest as the transaction between Aardvark and Sorrento preceded the date when Vickers began to consider Scilex as a potential candidate for its initial business combination. Moreover, the technology that was sold by Aardvark to Sorrento (and ultimately Scilex) is in its early pre-market stages with little value assigned to it. The potential royalty and milestone payments Aardvark may receive in the future are not likely to be significant to Aardvark nor received for many years. Aardvark has no ownership interest in Scilex. On June 7, 2021, Dr. Jeffrey Chi reached out to Dr. Henry Ji, Chief Executive Officer of Scilex’s parent company, Sorrento, to arrange for a call.

On June 9, 2021, Vickers and Scilex entered into a non-disclosure agreement.

On June 10, 2021, an introductory call was held between the Scilex and Vickers. Scilex was represented by Jaisim Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Suresh Khemani, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Dr. Dmitri Lissin, Chief Marketing Officer, and Dr. Ji, Sorrento’s Chief Executive Officer. Vickers was represented by Dr. Jeffrey Chi, Chief Executive Officer, and Chris Ho, Chief Financial Officer. Also present were Dr. Xinhong Lim, Assistant Managing Director at Vickers, Dr. Poh Hui Chia, Associate Director at Vickers, and Mhamed Mengad, an Associate at Vickers, who led the technical, financial and commercial diligence review of Scilex for Vickers . Data room access was provided to Vickers the next day.

On June 21, 2021, Vickers’s management had a follow up call with Scilex management to discuss progress on its due diligence review of Scilex and next steps.

On June 25, 2021, Dr. Chia and Dr. Lim conducted a site visit to Scilex’s office in Palo Alto, California, where they met with Scilex’s management, including Mr. Shah, Mr. Khemani, Dr. Lissin, Dr. Suketu Desai, Scilex’s Chief Technical Officer, and Stephen Ma, Scilex’s Senior Director of Finance, and discussed details of the business. Mr. Ho and Mr. Mengad of Vickers attended this meeting telephonically.

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Between June 2021 and July 2021, additional conversations took place between Vickers and Scilex on an ad hoc basis. During this time period, Vickers also evaluated the projections they had been provided and performed a sensitivity analysis to see how projected results would change if certain assumptions were changed. During this time period, the parties also had informal discussions regarding the potential valuation for Scilex. Although no final valuation was determined, Scilex believed a valuation in the range of $3.0 billion to $5.0 billion was appropriate. Scilex had proposed using a valuation from a valuation report it had obtained, but the valuation set forth in that report was higher than what Vickers deemed appropriate at that point in time.

On July 2, 2021, Vickers’s management met internally to review the then-current results of the due diligence review of Scilex as well as other potential deals and determine next steps.

On July 8, 2021, another due diligence call was held with Scilex’s management. Mr. Ho, Dr. Chia, Dr. Lim and Mr. Mengad met with Mr. Shah, Mr. Khemani, Dr. Lissin, Mr. Ma and Eric Camastro, Scilex’s Senior Director of Analytics and Forecast, to discuss the Scilex Projections. See the section titled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Certain Scilex Projected Financial Information.”

On July 16, 2021, Mr. Mengad had a follow up call with Mr. Ma to review outstanding items with respect to the due diligence review of Scilex.

On July 27, 2021, Vickers’s management met with the Sponsors’ Investment Committee to discuss the potential business combination targets of primary focus. Company X was the first choice, with Scilex being a close second. Company X was initially Vickers’s first choice because it was in a preferable business sector, had existing revenues, good growth prospects and was offering an attractive valuation. Scilex was later informed of the Investment Committee conclusions.

On August 12, 2021, a draft letter of intent (the ‘‘LOI’’) was entered into with Company X. On November 17, 2021, the negotiations with Company X were terminated because the parties were unable to agree on terms, complete satisfactory diligence and the process had stalled. Specifically, the parties could not agree on the extent of due diligence that Vickers should be permitted to conduct nor the representations and warranties in the business combination agreement that Vickers believed necessary. Company X terminated the LOI and eventually announced a deal with another special purpose acquisition company. Vickers’s management reactivated the deal pipeline and reached out to Scilex management to set up another call.

On November 18, 2021, Dr. Chi, Mr. Ho, Dr. Chia and Mr. Mengad spoke to Mr. Shah, Mr. Khemani, Dr. Lissin and Mr. Ma to get an update on Scilex’s business since July 2021. Access to an updated data room was provided to Vickers that day. Scilex was now seeking a transaction with a valuation in the range of $1.0 billion to $2.0 billion. The Vickers team believed that, given Scilex’s progress during the intervening period, along with the potential adjustments to this valuation for certain conditions regarding clinical trial progress, potential debt adjustment and Scilex’s planned royalty buyout, this valuation range was justified. See the section titled “Proposal — The Business Combination Proposal — Certain Scilex Projected Financial Information” for a description of the analysis performed by Vickers in arriving at the valuation.

Subsequent to this meeting, the Vickers team reviewed the updated financial information they had been provided and had further negotiations with Scilex regarding the valuation, ultimately deciding to proceed with a letter of intent but at a lesser valuation than had previously been discussed.

The Vickers team did note that between July 27, 2021 and November 18, 2021, Scilex made very significant progress that allowed Vickers to see a sharp increase in valuation. Specifically, there was additional coverage of up to 33 million lives for ZTlido and the LOI was also conditional on positive Phase 3 clinical data for SP-102. Vickers was aware that the market price for the common stock of Sorrento, the parent company of Scilex, had declined by nearly one-third since the time of the initial discussions and that the valuation being discussed represented a significant portion of the market capitalization of Sorrento but did not believe this should impact what would ultimately be paid for Scilex as the market valuation for Sorrento appeared to be impacted by market trends in general for biotech stocks rather than a situation unique to Sorrento.

On November 22, 2021, Vickers’s management spoke with Scilex’s management to discuss the 2021 commercial performance of Scilex, the clinical progress of the lead drug candidate SP-102 and the debt

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status of the company, as well as high-level terms of a potential business combination, including minimum cash consideration and indicative valuation.

A LOI contemplating a potential business combination with Scilex was sent from Vickers to Scilex on November 24, 2021. Scilex engaged Regulatory Professional LLC, an independent consulting division of Premier Research Inc., to assist on regulatory affairs related to drug development and FDA approvals and Syneos Health, a research firm, to assist in evaluating market opportunities.

On December 2, 2021, Vickers’s management, Dr. Chi and Mr. Ho, provided an informal update to the Vickers Board on the progress of the negotiations following the meeting of its Audit Committee where all three independent directors of the Vickers Board, Suneel Kaji, Dr. Steve Myint and Rebekah Woo, were present.

On December 3, 2021, Dr. Finian Tan, Vickers's Special Advisor, and Mr. Ho spoke with Dr. Ji and finalized the terms of the LOI. Over the course of negotiating the terms of the LOI, provisions with respect to the following were added: (i) rights in favor of Vickers's shareholders to exchange shares of New Scilex Common Stock received in connection with the Business Combination for shares of Sorrento common stock under certain circumstances as protection against a decrease in the trading price of New Scilex Common Stock following the consummation of the Business Combination, (ii) the requirement that the Sponsors and their affiliates execute voting and non-redemption agreements; and (iii) the forfeiture of Private Placement Warrants by the Sponsors under certain circumstances.

On December 5, 2021, the LOI was executed by Vickers and Scilex, which included a mutual agreement to exclusively negotiate a potential business combination transaction for a specified period of time. Vickers’s management engaged Loeb & Loeb, who had previously served as its legal counsel for the proposed transaction with Company X, to again serve as its legal counsel for the proposed transaction with Scilex.

On December 6, 2021,representatives of Vickers and Scilex held a “kick-off” call to discuss certain process matters regarding completing business due diligence, preparation of definitive transaction documents, legal due diligence, a potential financing, and related work streams, including the anticipated timeline for signing a business combination agreement. Scilex subsequently populated a data room in response to due diligence requests received from Vickers, which data room was periodically updated by Scilex

Also on December 6, 2021, the execution of the LOI was publicly announced, and Scilex had a call with Dr. Chi, Mr. Ho, Dr. Chia, Dr. Lim and Mr. Mengad. Dr. Lissin where he provided an update on the SP-102 Phase 3 topline data. Commencing December 13, 2021, representatives of Vickers and Scilex met virtually on a weekly basis to discuss matters related to the proposed transaction, including due diligence.

On December 12, 2021, Vickers signed an engagement letter with EF Hutton to act as placement agent for an offering in conjunction with the proposed business combination with Scilex. Subsequent to the engagement, EF Hutton arranged several meetings with investors in a potential private placement in December 2021 and January 2022. EF Hutton reached out to 72 investors, of which 32 signed attestations affirming their obligation of nondisclosure of confidential information and seven were given access to the data room. There was muted interest, and Scilex decided to seek out alternatives to a private placement.

On December 16, 2021, Vickers’s management met internally to review the diligence plan for Scilex and determine next steps.

On December 22, 2021, Vickers provided Scilex with an initial draft of the Merger Agreement. Over the subsequent weeks, until execution of definitive agreements on March 17, 2022, additional conversations regarding due diligence and details of the definitive agreements took place between Vickers and Scilex on an ad-hoc basis. Over the course of negotiations, following further exploration of the rights in favor of Vickers's shareholders to exchange shares of New Scilex Common Stock for shares of Sorrento common stock under certain circumstances contemplated by the LOI, Vickers and Scilex concluded, after discussions with the SEC, that regulatory requirements in implementing such rights, among other things, would not be feasible in light of other concerns regarding the Business Combination, including impact on the timing of completion of the Business Combination. Particular areas of focus in negotiations between Vickers and Scilex in addition to those contemplated by the LOI, which provisions were implemented into the definitive agreements, included (i) no minimum cash requirement to Scilex’s obligations to consummate the Business Combination, (ii) the deferral of certain debt obligations of Scilex in favor of Sorrento, and (iii) the

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amendment of the underwriting agreement between Vickers and Maxim pursuant to which, under certain circumstances, a portion of the underwriting fees owed to Maxim will be deferred for one year following the consummation of the Business Combination.

On January 10, 2022, Scilex arranged a due diligence call between Vickers and representatives of Scilex’s intellectual property counsel at Cooley LLP. Dr. Chia, Mr. Mengad and Mr. Ho met with intellectual property counsel at Cooley LLP to discuss the intellectual property portfolio of Scilex. Mr. Shah, Mr. Ma and Steve Lincoln, Scilex’s Chief Compliance Officer, were also present.

On January 17, 2022, Mr. Ho spoke with Mr. Shah and Mr. Ma to discuss the progress on the definitive agreements for the proposed business combination.

On January 20, 2022, Scilex management, including Dr. Ji and Mr. Shah, invited Mr. Ho to join a call with the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) to discuss the benefits of listing on NYSE instead of Nasdaq.

On January 24, 2022, Mr. Ho and Mr. Mengad spoke with Mr. Ma regarding Scilex’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. A follow-up call was held on January 28, 2022. The purpose of the call was primarily to understand Scilex’s debt position. On the same day, the LOI was also amended to extend the exclusivity period for an additional 30 days.

On January 28, 2022, Scilex arranged a due diligence call for Vickers to speak with Worldwide Clinical Trial, Scilex’s Contract Research Organization. Dr. Chia, Mr. Mengad and Mr. Ho met with Peter Benson, Worldwide Clinical Trial’s Chief Executive Officer, to discuss Scilex’s clinical trials. Dr. Lissin and Mr. Ma were also present. Later that day, Dr. Chi and Mr. Ho spoke with Dr. Ji, Mr. Shah and Mr. Ma to discuss the definitive agreements.

On January 31, 2022, Jenn Calabrese and Amanda Vizcaino from Calabrese Consulting, and Mr. Ho and Mr. Ma met to discuss the financial accounts and prepare for the pro forma presentations that would be necessary for the filing of a registration statement in connection with the proposed Business Combination.

On February 7, 2022, Scilex arranged a due diligence call between Vickers and Scilex’s regulatory consultant, Regulatory Professionals LLC. Dr. Chia, Mr. Mengad and Mr. Ho met with Fedra Molaie-Holagh, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Premier Research Inc., to discuss the quality of the clinical trial data. Dr. Lissin and Mr. Ma were also present. Later that day, Vickers’s management provided an informal update to the Vickers Board on the progress of the negotiations following the meeting of Vickers’s Audit Committee.

On February 16, 2022, Vickers’s management convened a board meeting to discuss the proposed business combination. Dr. Chia and Mr. Mengad were invited to share the results of their due diligence review and answer questions about Scilex. The Vickers Board was unanimously supportive of the transaction.

On February 23, 2022, the LOI was amended to extend the exclusivity period for an additional 21 days.

On March 6, 2022, a meeting of the Vickers Board was held to present an update on the proposed Business Combination with more detail on the finalized terms. The Vickers Board unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Business Combination.

On March 12, 2022 and March 13, 2022, Vickers and Scilex management met to confirm the language in the definitive agreements.

On March 16, 2022, the Scilex Board unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Business Combination.

On March 17, 2022, the definitive agreements were signed and the parties issued a press release to announce the agreements.

The Vickers Board’s Discussion of Valuation and Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination

On March 17, 2022, the Vickers Board (i) determined that the Business Combination was advisable to and in the best interests of Vickers and its shareholders, (ii) unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Business Combination), and (iii) recommended that

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Vickers’s shareholders approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Business Combination).

Before reaching its decision, the Vickers Board considered the results of the due diligence conducted by its management and advisors, which included:

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Size of the Potential Market. Scilex is targeting several pain indications with its approved drug, ZTildo, and pipeline drugs, SP-102, SP-103 and SP-104. Vickers considered the market size for these drugs, with a particular focus on ZTlido, Scilex’s lidocaine patch approved by the FDA in 2018 for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN, nerve pain), and SP-102, Scilex’s lead drug which is a non-particulate epidural steroid injection seeking FDA approval. Vickers’s management estimates that ZTlido has 5% share of the lidocaine patch market, which is estimated to have a current total addressable market size of US$1.8B based on publicly available annual prescription and prescription pricing data.

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Meetings and Calls with Scilex’s Management Team. Vickers had numerous meetings with Scilex regarding, among other customary due diligence matters, Scilex’s brand, company products, customer base, clinical trials and results, intellectual property, information technology, human resources and public company preparedness, operations, pricing and reimbursement, suppliers, market access and distribution, financials and use of proceeds, competitors, plans and forecasts.

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Industry and Market Research. Vickers’s industry research included interviews with certain industry experts and executives to inform on factors including pricing curves, adoption curves and differentiation against other products.

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Legal and Commercial Review. This review included a review of Scilex’s material contracts and other documentation, including but not limited to those relating to regulatory compliance and communications, human resources and other legal matters, as well as a review of Scilex-published online, print and social media content.

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Clinical Data Review. This review included but was not limited to pharmacokinetics and safety data, preclinical trial data, clinical trial data and study reports.

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Intellectual Property Review. This included a review of Scilex’s intellectual property rights, including but not limited to their in-license agreements, their current patent portfolio status, and their patent strategy.

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FDA Regulatory Process Timeline. This included a review for Scilex’s upcoming products, expedited pathways available to Scilex, and consideration of the likelihood of success given Scilex’s clinical trial data and alternatives in the market for the target indications, among other considerations.

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Operational Due Diligence. This included a review of key access and distribution channels, sales team, manufacturing, supply chain, insurance, information technology and corporate services.

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Financial, Tax and Public Company Readiness Due Diligence. This included a review of Scilex’s financial statements and internal reports and projections provided by Scilex’s management.

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Review of Comparable Biotech Transactions. This included a review of other biotech companies in the injectable steroid space and pain management space.

The Vickers Board considered a variety of factors in connection with its evaluation of the Business Combination. In light of the complexity of those factors, the Vickers Board, as a whole, did not consider it practicable to, nor did it attempt to, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors it took into account in reaching its decision. Individual members of the Vickers Board may have given different weight to different factors. Certain information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

In considering the Business Combination, the Vickers Board considered the following positive factors, although not weighted or in any order of significance:

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Public Company Readiness. The Vickers Board’s belief that Scilex is well positioned to be a public company in terms of scale and size, and a company that public equity market investors will understand and value.

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Experienced Management Team and Major Stockholder. Following completion of the Business Combination, Scilex will continue to be led by the same proven and experienced senior management team as prior to the Business Combination. The executive team has extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical market and was largely responsible for Scilex’s growth over the last several years. In addition, the Vickers Board considered that Scilex’s existing primary shareholder would continue to be the largest shareholder of Scilex after closing of the Business Combination.

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Potential for Increase in Shareholder Value. The Vickers Board’s determination that if Scilex is able to meet its financial forecasts, then Vickers’s shareholders will have acquired their shares in New Scilex at an attractive valuation, which would increase shareholder value.

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The Market Opportunities for Certain Formulations. Vickers’ board of directors’ determination that Scilex’s clinical data for SP-102 is significant and likely to be approved by the FDA.

•

Other Alternatives. The Vickers Board’s belief, after a thorough review of other business combination opportunities reasonably available to Vickers, that the Business Combination represents an attractive potential business combination for Vickers, and the Vickers Board’s belief that such review of other reasonably available business combination opportunities has not presented a better alternative.

•

Negotiated Transaction. The terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination were the product of arm’s-length negotiations between the parties.

In the course of its deliberations, in addition to the various other risks associated with the business of Scilex, as described in the section titled “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, the Vickers Board also considered a variety of uncertainties, risks and other potentially negative factors relevant to the Business Combination, including the following:

•

General Economic Conditions. Macroeconomic uncertainty, including with respect to global and national supply chains, and the effects they could have on Scilex’s revenues and financial performance.

•

Inability to Achieve Targets. The risk that Scilex may not be able to execute on its business plan and realize the financial performance as set forth in the financial forecasts presented to management of Vickers and the Vickers Board.

•

Inability to Obtain Regulatory Approvals for Certain Formulations. The risk that Scilex may not obtain in a timely manner, or at all, the requisite approvals of significant potential products.

•

Industry Risk on Reputation. Scilex’s brand and reputation are critical to its success, and any publicity, regardless of accuracy, that portrays Scilex negatively could adversely impact operating results.

•

No Fairness Opinion was Obtained. The risk that Vickers did not obtain an opinion from any independent investment banking or accounting firm that the consideration paid by Vickers in connection with the Business Combination is fair to Vickers or its shareholders from a financial point of view.

•

Valuation. The risk that the Vickers Board may not have properly valued Scilex’s business.

•

Risks that the Transaction Cannot be Completed. The risks and costs to Vickers if the Business Combination is not completed, including the risk of diverting management focus and resources from other businesses combination opportunities, which could result in Vickers being unable to effect a business combination within the completion window, which would require Vickers to liquidate.

•

Shareholder Approval Risk. The risk that Vickers’s shareholders may object to and challenge the Business Combination and take action that may prevent or delay the Closing, including by voting against the Business Combination Proposal at the Meeting or redeeming their Vickers Ordinary Shares.

•

Post-Closing Risk. The terms of the Merger Agreement provide that Vickers will not have any surviving remedies against Scilex or its equityholders after the Closing to recover for losses as a result

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of any inaccuracies or breaches of Scilex’s representations, warranties or covenants set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Vickers Board determined that this structure was appropriate and customary in light of the fact that the current primary stockholder of Scilex will be the majority stockholder in the post-Business Combination company.

•

Combined Company Post-Closing. The fees and expenses associated with completing the Business Combination for both parties will be significant.

•

Non-solicitation Provision. The Merger Agreement includes a non-solicitation provision prohibiting Vickers from initiating, discussing, or making certain proposals that could lead to an alternative business combination.

•

Ownership Position Post- Closing. The fact that existing Vickers shareholders will hold a minority position in Scilex following completion of the Business Combination and Vickers will not have any representation on the New Scilex Board.

•

Litigation Risk. The possibility of litigation challenging the Business Combination or that an adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin consummation of the Business Combination.

•

Redemption Risk. The potential that a significant number of Vickers’s shareholders elect to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and pursuant to the Current Charter, which would potentially make the Business Combination more difficult or impossible to complete, and/or reduce the amount of cash available to New Scilex following the Closing.

•

Public Company Risk. As Scilex has not previously been a public company, Scilex may not have all the different types of employees necessary for it to timely and accurately prepare reports for filing with the SEC. There is a risk that Scilex will not be able to hire the right people to fill in these gaps by the time of the Closing or that additional issues could arise after the Closing due to its failure to have hired these people in advance of Closing.

•

Various other risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of this proxy statement/prospectus.

In addition to considering the factors described above, the Vickers Board also considered that certain of the officers and directors of Vickers may have interests in the Business Combination as individuals that are in addition to, and that may be different from, the interests of Vickers’s shareholders, including the matters described under the sections titled “Risk Factors” above and “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination.” However, the Vickers Board concluded that the potentially disparate interests would be mitigated because (i) these interests were disclosed in the prospectus for the initial public offering and/or would be included in this proxy statement/prospectus, (ii) these disparate interests could exist with respect to a business combination with any target company and (iii) the Business Combination was structured so that the Business Combination may be completed even if public shareholders redeem a substantial portion of the Vickers Ordinary Shares.

Based on its review of the forgoing considerations, the Vickers Board concluded that these risks could be managed or mitigated by Scilex or were unlikely to have a material impact on the Business Combination or the Company, and that, overall, the potentially negative factors associated with the Business Combination were outweighed by the potential benefits that it expects that Vickers’s shareholders will receive as a result of the Business Combination. The Vickers Board realized that there can be no assurance about future results, including results considered or expected as disclosed in the foregoing reasons.

The preceding discussion of the information and factors considered by the Vickers Board is not intended to be exhaustive but includes the material factors considered by the Vickers Board. The Vickers Board considered this information as a whole and overall considered the information and factors to be favorable to, and in support of, its determinations and recommendations.

This explanation of the Vickers Board’s reasons for its approval of the Business Combination, and all other information presented in this section, is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

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Certain Scilex Projected Financial Information

In connection with its evaluation of the Business Combination, the Vickers Board considered certain non-public financial projections prepared by Scilex’s management with respect to Scilex as a standalone company (the “Scilex Management Projections”). The Scilex Management Projections were prepared in the first quarter of 2021 (more than two years after the launch of ZTlido) for annual long-term strategic planning purposes and include revenue forecasts for each of the years in the eleven-year period ending December 31, 2032 (the “Scilex Projections”).

In addition, in April 2021, the Vickers Board was also provided with a valuation analysis commissioned by Scilex in March 2021 and performed by Redwood Valuation Partners (the “Redwood Projections,” and together with the Scilex Management Projections, the “Scilex Projections”). The Redwood Projections were commissioned by Scilex for the purpose of providing an independent analysis to potential acquirors and include revenue, cost, expense and income projections for the ten-year period ending December 31, 2030.

The Scilex Projections were prepared using a ten to eleven-year time horizon, as Scilex believes such time-frame is necessary for long-term strategic forecasting for pipeline projects, as peak sales for new products often occur five to seven years following commercial launch. Given that Scilex anticipates that SP-103 and SP-104 will be launched in 2026, a ten to eleven-year time horizon would capture those anticipated peak sales periods. Regarding ZTlido and SP-102, Scilex prepared such long-term forecasts to coincide with the forecasts for SP-103 and SP-104 so that it would have a complete analysis of its business plan over the same time period as well as to assist Vickers and other potential business partners in their evaluation of the long-term business goals of the company.

Vickers conducted significant due diligence on the Scilex Projections, focusing on the following four primary areas: size of the potential markets for the target indications for all of Scilex's drugs with particular emphasis on SP-102, probability of success for Scilex’s lead drug SP-102, pricing and adoption of SP-102, and Scilex’s experience in pain management. Vickers also considered the coverage rate, market penetration and growth for ZTlido. Since SP-102 was the furthest along in the clinical trials, it was the most prominent and was considered to have the most certainty. At the time of consideration, the Scilex Management Projections were fairly recent, as they had been prepared in 2021, and they still reflected the view of Scilex’s management on future performance. Accordingly, the Vickers Board did not consider obtaining updated projections from Scilex or Redwood Valuation Partners (“Redwood”). Scilex’s projections were reviewed and used as a reference in arriving at a suitable valuation. Vickers believed that the bottom-up approach whereby cost and revenue assumptions are used to assist in determining a valuation was most appropriate with unapproved product candidates and believed this approach was most typical in the valuation of clinical stage biotech companies. In arriving at its valuation, Vickers took a more conservative approach with respect to certain of the assumptions used in the Scilex Projections. More specifically, in arriving at the valuation, the Vickers Board reviewed a range of scenarios considering multiple projected revenue discount rates ranging from 11% to 13%, multiple probabilities of success ranging from 26% to 95% based on historical probabilities of success for products at different clinical stages, and different physician uptake curves based on Syneos research surveys of over 100 physicians that accounted for price and physician specialty area for the unapproved product candidates. In addition, while Vickers was aware that there was a large potential for off-label use of SP-102 as a pain medication, it only considered projected revenue from the primary indication of SP-102. Vickers believed that these scenarios supported a valuation of between $1.3 billion and $3.0 billion, and the valuation was negotiated at $1.5 billion with potential downward adjustments for certain conditions.

Scilex Management Projections

The revenue elements of the Scilex Management Projections provided to Vickers and relied upon by Vickers in its valuation analysis are set forth in the table below:

($ in millions)(1)	2022			2023			2024			2025			2026			2027			2028			2029			2030			2031			2032
ZTlido(2)			50.0			63.6			69.2			75.2			77.7			80.4			83.4			86.4			89.2			92.1			—(3)
SP-102(4)			23.9			192.6			669.1			913.6			978.0			1,016.3			1,052.1			1,089.0			1,127.3			1,167.0			1,208.0
SP-103(5)															63.2			168.9			278.6			392.2			509.7			631.1			756.3
SP-104(6)															63.4			111.2			141.2			177.7			230.8			287.6			298.7
Total revenue		$	73.9		$	256.2		$	738.3		$	988.8		$	1,182.4		$	1,376.8		$	1,555.2		$	1,745.3		$	1,956.9		$	2,177.8		$	2,263(7)

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(1)

All amounts are estimates as of the date such projections were prepared by Scilex. The Scilex Management Projections assume that each of Scilex’s product candidates receive regulatory approval because for each such product candidate Scilex may seek FDA approval through the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, which allows Scilex to rely in part on the FDA’s prior conclusions regarding the safety and effectiveness of previously approved compounds, which Scilex believes improves the chance of regulatory approval.

(2)

The applicable assumed market for ZTlido is the U.S. Lidocaine 5% Rx Patch Market, with an average market growth rate of 1.1% through 2030 (based on the mid-point of independent third-party assessments). Projections for ZTlido revenues assume annual prescriptions of approximately 4.3 million (based on an independent third-party’s assessment of market data on prescriptions for the period from 2018 to 2021), a maximum market share of approximately 12% (based on Scilex’s analogue assessment of independent third-party data regarding the market share for seven similar products in the applicable market), current competition is limited to generic Lidoderm patches, and Scilex’s belief that there are currently no competing products in development for future commercialization.

(3)

The forecast provided for ZTlido was only through 2031.

(4)

The applicable assumed market for SP-102 is the U.S. Epidural Steroid Injection Market, with an average market growth rate of 3.6% through 2027 (as estimated by Syneos Health (“Syneos”) as part of its consulting assignment with Scilex and taking into account Scilex’s anticipated promotional activities), with lower growth thereafter. Projections for SP-102 revenues assume receipt of regulatory approval in the first half of 2022 with commercial launch in the second half of 2022, market size of approximately 10.6 million epidural steroid injection procedures annually (based on Syneos’ analysis of prescription claims data), an average growth rate of 3.6% year-over-year through 2027 and lower growth thereafter, a maximum market share of approximately 33% (based on Syneos’ analogue assessment of other similar products in the applicable market and primary market research with healthcare professional specialists as well as Scilex’s assessment of the competitive landscape and that there are no FDA approved epidural steroid injection therapies for sciatica (which, if approved, would make SP-102 the first such product to be approved)).

(5)

The applicable assumed market for SP-103 is the U.S. diagnosed prevalent patients with lower back pain. Projections for SP-103 revenues assume receipt of regulatory approval in mid-2025, commercial launch in mid-2026, market size of approximately 17.0 million diagnosed prevalent cases of lower back pain (based on independent third-party assessments of the prevalence of lower back pain at 10.2% of the adult population and the related diagnosis rate of 65% of cases), 80% of patients receiving drug-treatment for lower back pain (based on an independent third-party’s assessment), drug treatment growth rate of 0.3% year-over-year after 2022 (assuming the general U.S. population will grow at a rate of 0.7% per year (based on U.S. census data as of 2019) and Scilex management’s business judgment that approximately half of that growth rate will need drug treatment for lower back pain and taking into account anticipated promotional activities), an average market growth rate of 0.24% based on the foregoing, a maximum market share of approximately 2.0% (based on Scilex’s analogue assessment of the regulatory approval timing for other topical pain resolution brands for lower back pain and the timing of such products’ peak revenue), current competition being limited to opioids, and Scilex’s belief that there are currently no competing non-opioid products to address lower back pain and limited foreseeable competing non-opioid products in development for future commercialization.

(6)

Although the SP-104 Assets had only been legally transferred to Scilex in May 2022, the Scilex Management Projections included SP-104, because it was always the intention of Sorrento and Scilex that Sorrento would at least license SP-104 to Scilex for commercialization. The applicable assumed market for SP-104 is the U.S. diagnosed and drug-treated patients with fibromyalgia, with an average market growth rate of 0.8% through 2030. Projections for SP-104 revenues assume receipt of regulatory approval in mid-2025, commercial launch in mid-2026, market size of approximately 6.1 million prevalent cases of fibromyalgia (based on the mid-point of independent third-party assessments of the prevalence of fibromyalgia), 80% of patients receiving drug-treatment for fibromyalgia (which reflects Scilex management’s risk adjusted rate as compared to an independent third-party assessment which reflected a drug treatment rate of 90%), fibromyalgia prevalent growth rate of 0.8% year-over-year after 2022 (based on an independent third-party assessment), Scilex management’s expectations regarding

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increased promotional activity, a maximum market share of approximately 8.0% (based on Scilex’s analogue assessment of the regulatory approval timing for other similar products and the timing of such products’ peak revenue), current competition being limited to non-opioid therapeutics currently in late-stage phase 3 pipeline containing development programs under Section 505(b)(2) of the FDCA.

(7)

Excludes ZTlido, as total revenue for 2032 was not provided for ZTlido.

In formulating its assumptions with respect to the Scilex Projections, Scilex’s management reviewed and relied upon its primary and secondary market research, analysis of prescription and demand data trends, internally developed analogues of new product launches and uptakes, and ability to gain insights by leveraging internal expertise and prior experience. Due to stable market dynamics and conditions, multiple forecasts scenarios were not prepared for strategic planning purposes.

Redwood Projections

The key elements of the Redwood Projections provided to Vickers and relied upon by Vickers in its valuation analysis are set forth in the table below:

($ in millions)(1)	2021			2022			2023			2024			2025			2026			2027			2028			2029			2030
Revenues
Net Sales:(2)
ZTlido			33.8			42.5			53.4			59.2			62.4			54.6			35.3			34.3			35.7			34.5
SP-102			00.0			34.6			152.8			466.7			798.7			1,138.8			1,516.5			1,698.8			1,746.2			1,679.6
SP-103			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			63.2			168.9			278.6			392.2			509.7
SP-104			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			63.4			111.2			141.2			177.7			230.8
Total Net Sales		$	33.8		$	77.1		$	206.2		$	525.9		$	861.1		$	1,320.0		$	1,831.9		$	2,152.9		$	2,351.7		$	2,454.6
Cost of Sales:
ZTlido			03.6			04.3			05.3			05.9			06.2			05.5			03.5			03.4			03.6			03.5
SP-102			00.0			03.5			15.3			46.7			79.9			113.9			151.6			169.9			174.6			168.0
SP-103			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			06.3			16.9			27.9			39.2			51.0
SP-104			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			12.7			22.2			28.2			35.5			46.2
Total Cost of Sales(3)		$	03.6		$	07.7		$	20.6		$	52.6		$	86.1		$	138.3		$	194.3		$	229.4		$	252.9		$	268.5
Royalties/Milestone:
ZTlido			00.0			07.1			11.5			12.7			13.4			11.7			07.6			07.4			07.7			07.4
SP-102			00.0			40.5			22.3			81.3			170.0			28.5			37.9			42.5			43.7			42.0
SP-103			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			13.6			36.3			59.9			84.3			109.6
SP-104			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			00.0			06.2			05.6			07.1			28.9			11.5
Total Royalties/Milestone		$	00.0		$	47.6		$	33.8		$	94.0		$	183.4		$	60.0		$	87.4		$	116.8		$	164.5		$	170.5
Gross Profit		$	30.2		$	21.7		$	151.8		$	379.3		$	591.6		$	1,121.7		$	1,550.2		$	1,806.7		$	1,934.3		$	2,015.5
Operating Expenses
Total Operating Expenses(4)		$	71.2		$	92.4		$	94.0		$	111.0		$	103.7		$	142.5		$	154.8		$	139.4		$	149.3		$	157.4
Operating Profit(Loss)		$	-41.0		$	-70.7		$	57.8		$	268.3		$	487.9		$	979.2		$	1,395.4		$	1,667.3		$	1,785.0		$	1,858.1
Other Income & Expense
Total Other Income & Expense(5)		$	10.1		$	16.4		$	23.2		$	39.4		$	35.2		$	48.2		$	337.6		$	410.2		$	439.1		$	457.1
Operating Income (Loss)		$	-51.1		$	-87.1		$	34.6		$	228.9		$	452.7		$	931.0		$	1,057.7		$	1,257.2		$	1,345.9		$	1,401.0

(1)

All amounts are estimates as of the date such projections were prepared.

(2)

The net sales projections are based on the Scilex Management Projections, a copy of which were delivered to Redwood in connection with Scilex’s commissioning of the Redwood Projections, and such projections have the same assumptions as the Scilex Management Projections, except as noted below under the section entitled “Material Differences in Assumptions for the Scilex Projections.”

(3)

Cost of sales projections are based on confidential negotiated contract prices with the manufacturer.

(4)

Operating expense projections include general and administrative expenses such as accounting, finance,

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legal, R&D, sales and marketing and investor relations as well as payroll expenses, and assume a year-over-year-increase of four to five percent, except with respect to payroll expense which assumes a year-over-year increase of 10% due to projected increases in headcount.

(5)

Other income and expense projections include shared services and allocated expenses from Scilex’s controlling stockholder, Sorrento, that are based on run rate or actual known costs expected to support the future growth of Scilex’s business and assume a year-over-year-increase of four to five percent.

When evaluating cost of sales, operating expense and other income and expense projections, Scilex will involve each business function and prepare a budget in support of its overall strategic objectives. As part of this budget process, Scilex may consider how many full-time employees they need to support each project and what outside resources (e.g., consultants, CROs, and regulatory support) are needed to support the long term projections. For current projects, Scilex relies on the terms of the contracts with its outside service vendors when projecting related costs and for full-time employees, Scilex builds in an inflation rate of between three to five percent per year. Any new outside services will be based on historical costs for similar projects, adjusted for inflation.

Material Differences in Assumptions for the Scilex Projections

The material differences in assumptions between the Scilex Management Projections and the Redwood Projections with respect to ZTlido and SP-102 are as follows:

•

ZTlido: The Redwood Projections assumed that ZTlido revenues would be significantly cannibalized by SP-103 starting in 2026, whereas the Scilex Management Projections assumed SP-103 would be for an indication other than lower back pain and priced at a premium compared to ZTlido.

•

SP-102: The Scilex Management Projections assumed a significantly higher amount of revenues for SP-102 earlier on than reflected in the Redwood Projections due to Scilex’s more favorable view of potential demand than that anticipated by Redwood. In addition, Scilex assumed that CMS reimbursements through a J-Code assignment would begin within the same quarter as the launch of SP-102 whereas Redwood assumed such reimbursements would occur one year after launch.

There were no material differences in the assumptions between the Scilex Management Projections and the Redwood Projections with respect to SP-103 and SP-104.

Important Information About the Financial Projections

The Scilex Projections are included in this proxy statement/prospectus solely to provide Vickers’s shareholders access to information made available in connection with the Vickers Board’s consideration of the Business Combination. The Scilex Projections should not be viewed as public guidance and they are neither fact nor a guarantee of actual future performance. You are cautioned to consider that the Scilex Projections may be materially different than actual results when relying on such projections in making a decision regarding the Business Combination, particularly because the Scilex Projections span a ten to eleven-year time period which creates a significant risk that such projections will not be achieved and the Scilex Projections assume that all product candidates receive regulatory approval and there is significant risk that any one or all of Scilex’s product candidates may not receive such approval or, if approved, will not gain market acceptance. Furthermore, the Scilex Projections do not take into account any circumstances or events occurring after the date on which the Scilex Projections were prepared, or commissioned, by Scilex.

Scilex does not, as a matter of general practice, publicly disclose long-term forecasts or internal projections of its future performance, revenue, financial condition, or other results. The Scilex Projections were not prepared with a view toward complying with the guidelines established by the SEC or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with respect to prospective financial information. The Scilex Projections have not been audited. Neither the independent registered public accounting firms of Scilex nor Vickers or any other independent accountants, have compiled, reviewed, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the Scilex Projections contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or their achievability, and the independent registered public accounting firms of Scilex and Vickers assume no responsibility for, and disclaim any association with, the Scilex Projections, as further described in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” The reports of the independent registered public accounting firms included in this proxy statement/prospectus

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relate to Scilex’s and Vickers’s historical audited financial statements and do not extend to the unaudited prospective financial information and should not be read to do so.

The Scilex Projections were prepared in good faith by Scilex management based on estimates and assumptions believed to be reasonable with respect to the expected future financial performance of Scilex at the time the Scilex Management Projections and Redwood Projections were prepared in May 2021 and March 2021, respectively, and in each case speak only as of such times.

The inclusion of the Scilex Projections in this proxy statement/prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that Scilex, its management, the Scilex Board, or its affiliates, advisors or other representatives considered, or now considers, such projections necessarily to be predictive of actual future results or to support or fail to support your decision whether to vote for or against the Business Combination Proposal.

While presented with numerical specificity, the Scilex Projections are forward-looking and reflect numerous estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, future industry performance under various industry scenarios as well as assumptions for competition, general business, economic, market, regulatory and financial conditions and matters specific to the businesses of Scilex, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the preparing parties’ control, including, among other things, the matters described in the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.” In addition, the Scilex Projections cover multiple years, and this information by its nature becomes subject to greater uncertainty with each successive year.

Scilex has not warranted the accuracy, reliability, appropriateness or completeness of the Scilex Projections to anyone, including Vickers. Neither Scilex’s management nor any of its respective representatives has made or makes any representations to any person regarding the ultimate performance of Scilex relative to the Scilex Projections. The future financial results of Scilex may differ materially from those reflected in the Scilex Projections due to factors beyond Vickers’s or Vickers’s ability to control or predict.

The Scilex Projections are not included in this proxy statement/prospectus in order to induce any Vickers shareholders to vote in favor of any of the proposals at the Meeting.

We encourage you to review the financial statements of Scilex included in this proxy statement/prospectus, as well as the financial information in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” and to not rely on any single financial measure.

None of Vickers, Scilex and any of their respective affiliates intends to, and, except to the extent required by applicable law, each expressly disclaims any obligation to, update, revise or correct the Scilex Projections to reflect circumstances existing or arising after the date such Scilex Projections were generated or to reflect the occurrence of future events, even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying the Scilex Projections are shown to be inappropriate or any of the Scilex Projections otherwise would not be realized.

In light of the foregoing factors and the uncertainties inherent in financial projections, Vickers’s shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Scilex Projections.

Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination

When you consider the recommendation of the Vickers Board to vote to approve the Business Combination Proposal and other Proposals, you should keep in mind that Vickers’s directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder, including:

•

If an initial business combination, such as the Business Combination, is not completed by January 11, 2023, Vickers will be required to dissolve and liquidate. If Vickers is unable to consummate the Business Combination by such date, it must liquidate and the 3,450,000 founder shares currently held by the Initial Shareholders (including 25,000 founder shares beneficially owned each by Ms. Woo, Mr. Kaji and Dr. Myint, respectively as currently contemplated), which were acquired prior to the IPO, will be worthless because such holders have agreed to waive their rights to any liquidation distributions. The founder shares were purchased for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.

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•

On December 20, 2021, the Sponsors loaned us an aggregate of $500,000 for working capital purposes. On January 6, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $1,035,000 into the Trust Account in the form of a non-interest-bearing loan, as required to provide us an additional three months to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to our Current Charter. On January 27, 2022, the Sponsors loaned us an additional aggregate principal amount of $500,000 for working capital purposes. On April 10, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $1,035,000 into the Trust Account in the form of a non-interest-bearing loan, as required to provide us an additional three months to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to our Current Charter. On July 8, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $323,888.95 into the Trust Account as required to provide us an additional calendar month to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to our Current Charter. The December 2021 Loans, the January 2022 Deposit, the January 2022 Loans, the April 2022 Deposit, and the July 2022 Deposit were evidenced by promissory notes. If we complete an initial business combination, we will, at the option of the Sponsors, repay the amounts evidenced by the promissory notes or convert up to $1,500,000 of the total amount of such deposit and loans into Working Capital Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Working Capital Warrant, which Working Capital Warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued simultaneously with the IPO, and repay the remaining amount in cash. If Vickers does not complete an initial business combination by January 11, 2023 and it is forced to liquidate, any such loans may only be repaid from funds outside of the Trust Account.

•

In reaching its decision to authorize the Merger Agreement, the Vickers Board was provided with complete disclosure regarding these potential conflicts of interest and considered these interests, among

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other matters, when approving and declaring advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and recommended that our shareholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the other Proposals.

Satisfaction of 80% Test

After consideration of the factors identified and discussed in the section entitled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — The Vickers Board’s Discussion of Valuation and Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination,” the Vickers Board concluded that the Business Combination met all of the requirements disclosed in the IPO prospectus with respect to Vickers’s initial business combination, including, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rules, that the Business Combination be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the Trust Account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of signing the Merger Agreement.

Regulatory Approvals

The Business Combination and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not subject to any additional regulatory requirement or approval, except for (i) filings with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies and Secretary of State of the State of Delaware necessary to effectuate the Domestication and the Business Combination, (ii) filings under the HSR Act and the expiration of any applicable waiting period thereunder and (iii) filings required with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements applicable to Vickers, and the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including the requirement to file the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part and to disseminate it to its shareholders. Vickers and Scilex filed the required forms under the HSR Act with the Antitrust Division and the FTC on April 18, 2022 and the waiting period expired on May 19, 2022.

Appraisal Rights

There are no appraisal rights available to holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares, Private Placement Warrants, Public Warrants or Units in connection with the Business Combination or the Domestication.

Total Shares of Common Stock Outstanding Upon Consummation of the Business Combination

The following summarizes the pro forma ownership of New Scilex Common Stock following the Business Combination under the no redemption, interim redemption and maximum redemption scenarios:

	No Redemption Scenario				Interim Redemption Scenario				Maximum Redemption Scenario
	Shares		%		Shares		%		Shares		%
Vickers public shareholders		9,726,395(1)		7.0%		3,890,558(2)		2.9%		—		—%
Vickers Initial Shareholders(3)		3,450,000		2.5%		3,450,000		2.6%		3,450,000		2.7%
Scilex stockholders(4)		125,714,240		90.5%		125,714,240		94.5%		125,714,240		97.3%
Total Shares at the Closing(5)(6)		138,890,635		100%		133,054,798		100%		129,164,240		100%

(1)

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memorandum and articles of association and, as such, the no redemption scenario reflects 9,726,395 shares held by Vickers public shareholders as of the Closing.

(2)

The interim redemption scenario assumes redemptions of 5,835,837 Vickers Ordinary Shares for aggregate redemption payments of approximately $60.1 million using a per share redemption price of $10.29.

(3)

(4)

In addition, the number of shares held by Scilex stockholders at the Closing is based on the Merger Consideration calculated as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.

(5)

(6)

Stock Exchange Listing

The Units, Vickers Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbols “VCKAU,” “VCKA,” and “VCKAW,” respectively. The Units commenced trading on January 7, 2021 and the Vickers Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants commenced separate public trading on March 3, 2021. Application will be made for the shares of New Scilex Common Stock and warrants to be approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “SCLX” and “SCLXW” respectively.

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Anticipated Accounting Treatment

Redemption Rights

Pursuant to our Current Charter, holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares may elect to have their Vickers Ordinary Shares redeemed for cash at the applicable redemption price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest (net of taxes payable), by (ii) the total number of then-outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares. As of , 2022, this would have amounted to approximately $ per share.

You will be entitled to receive cash for any Ordinary Shares to be redeemed only if you:

(i)

(a)

hold Vickers Ordinary Shares, or

(b)

hold Vickers Ordinary Shares through Units and you elect to separate your Units into the underlying Vickers Ordinary Shares and Warrants prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares; and

(ii)

prior to , Eastern Time, on , 2022, (a) submit a written request to Continental that Vickers redeem your Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash and (b) deliver your Vickers Ordinary Shares to Continental, physically or electronically through DTC.

Holders of outstanding Units must separate the underlying Vickers Ordinary Shares and Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares. If the Units are registered in a holder’s own name, the holder must deliver the certificate for its Units to Continental, with written instructions to separate the Units into their individual component parts. This must be completed far enough in advance to permit the mailing of the certificates back to the holder so that the holder may then exercise his, her or its redemption rights upon the separation of the Vickers Ordinary Shares and Warrants from the Units.

If a holder exercises its redemption rights, then such holder will be exchanging its Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash and will no longer own any public shares of Vickers. Any Public Warrants will be unaffected. Such a holder will be entitled to receive cash for its Vickers Ordinary Shares only if it properly demands redemption and delivers its Vickers Ordinary Shares (either physically or electronically) to Continental in accordance with the procedures described herein. Please see the section titled “The Meeting — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash.

Vote Required for Approval

The approval of the Business Combination Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The Business Combination is conditioned on the approval of each of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.

Pursuant to the Letter Agreement and the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Initial Shareholders holding an aggregate of 3,450,000 shares (or 26.2% of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares have agreed to attend the Meeting and vote their respective Vickers Ordinary Shares) in favor of each of the Proposals. As a result, only 3,138,198 Vickers Ordinary Shares held by the public shareholders will need to be present in person, including by virtual attendance, or by proxy to satisfy the quorum requirement for the Meeting. In addition, as the vote to approve the Business Combination Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the

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majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, then at which a quorum is present, assuming only the minimum number of Vickers Ordinary Shares to constitute a quorum is present, only 3,294,099 Vickers Ordinary Shares held must be voted in favor of the Business Combination Proposal for it to be approved and, therefore, it could be approved without any votes by any public shareholders. See the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Certain Related Agreements and Arrangements — Sponsor Support Agreement” for more information.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT transactions contemplated under the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 17, 2022 (as may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Vickers, Vantage Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Vickers (“Merger Sub”), and Scilex Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“Scilex”) and majority-owned subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (“Sorrento”), with Scilex surviving the merger (the “Business Combination”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, be and are hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Business Combination Proposal”). The Business Combination Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL.

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THE MERGER AGREEMENT

The following describes the material provisions of the Merger Agreement, but does not purport to describe all of the terms of the Merger Agreement and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Merger Agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement /prospectus. You are urged to read the Merger Agreement in its entirety because it is the legal document that governs the Business Combination.

Business Combination

On March 17, 2022, Vickers entered into the Merger Agreement with Merger Sub and Scilex. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, (i) prior to the Effective Time, Vickers will change its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (see “Proposal 2 — The Domestication Proposal” for further information on the Domestication) and (ii) at the Effective Time, and following the Domestication, Merger Sub will merge with and into Scilex, with Scilex continuing as the surviving entity and wholly owned subsidiary of Vickers.

The Business Combination is expected to be consummated in the third quarter of 2022, after the required approval by Vickers’s shareholders and the fulfillment of certain other conditions.

Merger Consideration

As a result of and upon the Closing of the Business Combination, among other things, (i) all outstanding shares of Scilex Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares held by Scilex or its subsidiaries or shares the holders of which exercise dissenters rights of appraisal will be cancelled in exchange for the right to receive a number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (as defined below) and (ii) each option to purchase Scilex Common Stock that is then outstanding shall be converted into the right to receive an option relating to the New Scilex Common Stock upon substantially the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such option immediately prior to the Effective Time except that (y) such New Scilex Option shall relate to that whole number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to the number of shares of Scilex Common Stock subject to such option, multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, and (z) the exercise price per share for each such share of New Scilex Common Stock shall be equal to the exercise price per share of such option in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by the Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent).

The “Exchange Ratio” means an amount equal to the quotient of (i) the number of shares constituting the Merger Consideration (as defined below), divided by (ii) the sum of the number of (y) shares of Scilex Common Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any such shares held in treasury), plus (z) shares of Scilex Common Stock issuable upon, or subject to, the settlement of options to purchase Scilex Common Stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

The “Merger Consideration” is calculated as the quotient of (i) $1.5 billion less Specified Indebtedness (as defined below) divided by (ii) $10.00.

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Closing

Representations and Warranties

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties that the respective parties made to each other as of the date of the Merger Agreement or other specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the Merger Agreement and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating the Merger Agreement. The representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement are also modified in part by the underlying disclosure schedules (the “disclosure schedules”), which are not filed publicly and which are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to shareholders and were used for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. We do not believe that the disclosure schedules contain information that is material to an investment decision. Additionally, the representations and warranties of the parties to the Merger Agreement may or may not have been accurate as of any specific date and do not purport to be accurate as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. Accordingly, no person should rely on the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement or the summaries thereof in this proxy statement/prospectus as characterizations of the actual state of facts about Vickers, Scilex or any other matter.

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of Scilex relating to, among other things, corporate existence and power, corporate authorization, non-contravention, consents, capital structure, organizational documents, assumed names, subsidiaries, financial statements, absence of certain changes, properties, title to Scilex’s assets, litigation, contracts, licenses and permits, compliance with laws, intellectual property, customers and suppliers, employees and employee benefit plans, withholding, real property, tax matters, environmental laws, finder’s fees, directors and officers, certain business practices, international trade matters, anti-bribery compliance, compliance with health care laws and certain contracts, insurance, related party transactions and data privacy matters.

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of Vickers and Merger Sub relating to, among other things, corporate existence and power, corporate authorization, governmental authorization, non-contravention, finder’s fees, issuance of shares, capitalization, information supplied, trust fund, listing, no market manipulation, board approval, Vickers’s SEC filings and financial statements, absence of changes, litigation, compliance with laws, money laundering laws and OFAC compliance, tax matters, contracts and investment company status.

Material Adverse Effect

Under the Merger Agreement, (i) certain representations and warranties of Vickers and Scilex are qualified in whole or in part by a Material Adverse Effect standard for purposes of determining whether a breach of such representations and warranties has occurred (ii) the obligation of each of Vickers and Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination is conditioned on no Material Adverse Effect having occurred from the date of the Merger Agreement with respect to Scilex that is continuing and (iii) the obligation of Scilex to consummate the Business Combination is conditioned on no Material Adverse Effect having occurred from the date of the Merger Agreement with respect to Vickers that is continuing.

A Material Adverse Effect means any change, event, effect or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other change, event, effect or occurrence, has had or would reasonably be expected to

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(i) have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, operations or results of operations of Scilex or Vickers (as the case may be) and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) prevent, materially delay or materially impede the ability of Scilex or Vickers (as the case may be) to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Business Combination; provided, however, in determining whether a “Material Adverse Effect” has occurred pursuant to clause (i) described above none of the following changes, events, effects or occurrences shall be taken into account:

•

general economic or political conditions;

•

conditions generally affecting the industries in which Scilex or Vickers (as the case may be);

•

any changes in financial, banking or securities markets in general, including any disruption thereof and any decline in the price of any security or any market index or any change in prevailing interest rates;

•

acts of war (whether or not declared), armed hostilities or terrorism, or the escalation or worsening thereof;

•

any action required or permitted by the Merger Agreement or any action taken (or omitted to be taken) with the written consent of or at the written request of Scilex or Vickers (as the case may be);

•

any matter of which Scilex or Vickers (as the case may be) is aware on the date of the Merger Agreement;

•

any changes in applicable laws or accounting rules (including GAAP) or the enforcement, implementation or interpretation thereof;

•

the announcement, pendency or completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including losses or threatened losses of employees, customers, suppliers, distributors or others having relationships with the party;

•

any natural or man-made disaster or acts of God, including any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, tsunami, mudslides, wild fire, epidemic, pandemic (including COVID-19); or

•

any failure to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions;

provided that the underlying causes of such failures shall not be excluded, unless any such any change, event, effect or occurrence (other than those described in the fifth, sixth, eighth and tenth bullet points above), shall have a disproportionate effect on Scilex or Vickers (as the case may be) and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to comparable companies in the same industry.

Conduct of Business by Scilex

Scilex has agreed that during the Interim Period, it will, and will cause its subsidiaries to, except as otherwise explicitly contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the ancillary agreements, entered into connection with the Business Combination or required by law (including certain requirements with respect to COVID-19) or as consented to by Vickers in writing (which consent will not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld, delayed or denied) use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to conduct their respective business only in the ordinary course, consistent with past practices, and (ii) to preserve substantially intact their material business relationships with clients, suppliers and other third parties.

During the Interim Period, Scilex has also agreed not to, and to cause its subsidiaries not to, except as otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Scilex disclosure schedules thereto, as consented to by Vickers in writing (which consent will not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld, delayed or denied) or as required by applicable law (including certain requirements with respect to COVID-19):

•

materially amend the governing documents of Scilex;

•

amend, waive any provision of or terminate prior to its scheduled termination date certain material contracts, or other contract or right that involves payments in excess of $200,000;

•

make any capital expenditures in excess of $300,000, individually or in the aggregate;

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•

sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any of its assets or assets covered by any contract except (i) pursuant to existing contracts or commitments disclosed herein, (ii) sales of inventory in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, or (iii) not exceeding $300,000 in the aggregate;

•

pay, declare or promise to pay any dividends or other distributions with respect to its capital stock, share capital or other equity interests;

•

effectuate any salary increase of more than 10% for any employee making an annual salary equal to or greater than $200,000 in the aggregate on an annual basis or effectuate any change to its existing bonus or profit sharing policies;

•

obtain or incur any loans or other indebtedness in excess of $15,000,000 in the aggregate, including in respect of (i) drawings under that certain Credit and Security Agreement, by and between Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and CNH Finance Fund I, L.P. (“CNH”), dated as of December 14, 2020, as amended or restated from time to time (the “CNH Revolving Loan”), and (ii) intercompany loans, advances or other debt or funding from Sorrento to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

•

merge or consolidate with any other entity or acquire any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity or organization or division thereof;

•

make any change in its accounting principles other than in accordance with the applicable accounting policies or methods or write down the value of any inventory or assets other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

•

extend any loans other than travel or other expense advances to employees in the ordinary course of business or with the principal amount not exceeding $20,000;

•

issue, redeem or repurchase any capital stock or shares, membership interests or other securities (other than those certain senior secured notes due 2026), or issue any securities exchangeable for or convertible into any share or any shares of its capital stock, other than the issuance of Scilex common shares upon the exercise or conversion of any Scilex options;

•

make or change any material tax election or change any annual tax accounting periods; or

•

undertake any legally binding obligation to do any of the foregoing actions.

Conduct of Business of Vickers

During the Interim Period, Vickers has also agreed not to, and to cause Merger Sub not to, except as otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including in connection with the Domestication) or the ancillary agreements entered into in connection with the Business Combination, as consented to by Scilex in writing (which consent will not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld, delayed or denied) or as required by applicable law:

•

except in connection with any Extension Amendment, amend, modify or supplement its organizational documents;

•

pay, declare or promise to pay any dividends or other distributions with respect to its capital stock, share capital or other equity interests;

•

reclassify, split, combine or subdivide any of its capital stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for any shares of its capital stock;

•

obtain or incur any loan or other indebtedness other than to finance Vickers’s expenses which indebtedness shall not exceed (i) $250,000 in the aggregate or (ii) in the event that an Extension Amendment is in effect, $1,750,000;

•

merge or consolidate with any other entity or acquire any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity or organization or division thereof;

•

make any change in its accounting principles other than in accordance with the applicable accounting policies;

•

extend any loans other than travel or other expense advances to employees in the ordinary course of business or with the principal amount not exceeding $25,000;

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•

make or change any material tax election or change any annual tax accounting periods;

•

enter into, renew, modify or revise any contract with any current or former affiliate of Vickers;

•

create any subsidiary;

•

except as previously disclosed to Scilex, enter into any new contract with any broker, finder, investment banker or other person or entity under which such person or entity is or will be entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

•

except as previously disclosed to Scilex, issue, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any capital stock, share capital, membership interests or other securities, or issue any securities exchangeable for or convertible into any share or any shares of its capital stock, or enter into any agreement with respect to the voting of its capital stock or share capital; or

•

undertake any legally binding obligation to do any of the actions set forth the foregoing.

Non-solicitation Provision

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties have agreed that during the Interim Period neither Scilex on the one hand, or Vickers and Merger Sub, on the other hand, will (and each of them will cause their respective officers, directors, affiliates, managers, consultants, employees, representatives and agents not to), directly or indirectly:

•

approve, recommend or enter into any Alternative Transaction or any contract related to any Alternative Transaction.

Extension Proposal

On May 11, 2022, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Vickers and Scilex determined that it was reasonably likely that the Business Combination would not be consummated by July 10, 2022. On June 30, 2022, Vickers’s shareholders approved the Extension Amendment to its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the deadline by which it must complete an initial business combination from July 11, 2022 to January 11, 2023. Any such extension is to be made on a monthly basis and is conditioned on the deposit into the Trust Account of a payment equal to $0.0333 per public share outstanding. In connection with the shareholder vote on the Extension Amendment, Vickers was required to provide its shareholders with the right to redeem their public shares. Holders of 4,073,605 public shares elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of $10.25 thereby reducing the amount in the Trust Account by an aggregate of approximately $41.8 million.

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Other Agreements of the Parties

The Merger Agreement contains certain additional covenants of the parties, including covenants in connection with:

•

providing the other with reasonable access to its respective properties and books and records;

•

notifying the other party of any occurrence of any fact or circumstance which constitutes or results, or would reasonably be expected to constitute or result, in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to such party;

•

notifying the other party of any action to which it is a party that, if adversely determined, could prevent or materially delay or impede such party’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

•

making all required filings under the HSR Act;

•

cooperating with respect to certain tax matters;

•

cooperating in the preparation of this proxy statement/prospectus;

•

the delivery by Scilex to Vickers of financial statements and other financial information;

•

Vickers taking certain actions so that amounts will be released from the Trust Account and so that the Trust Account will terminate thereafter, in each case, pursuant to the terms and subject to the terms and conditions of the Trust Agreement;

•

ensuring Vickers remains listed as a public company on Nasdaq and apply for the listing of the Domestication Common Stock and Domestication Public Warrants issuable in connection with the Domestication and Business Combination;

•

Vickers adopting a resolution consistent with the interpretive guidance of the SEC so that the acquisition of New Scilex Common Stock (including, in each case, securities deliverable upon exercise, vesting or settlement of any derivative securities) pursuant to the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements contemplated hereby), by any person owning securities of Scilex who is expected to become a director or officer (as defined under Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of Vickers following the Closing shall be an exempt transaction for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 thereunder; and

•

Vickers taking all actions necessary to call and hold a meeting of its shareholders to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Proposals.

Closing Conditions

The consummation of the Business Combination is conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver by the applicable parties to the Merger Agreement of the conditions set forth below. Therefore, unless these conditions are waived by the applicable parties to the Merger Agreement, the Business Combination may not be consummated. There can be no assurance that the parties to the Merger Agreement would waive any such provisions of the Merger Agreement.

Conditions to the Obligations of all of the Parties

The obligations of each party to the Merger Agreement to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

•

there will not be in force any order, statute, rule or regulations enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Business Combination; provided that the governmental authority issuing such order has jurisdiction over the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

•

the this proxy statement/prospectus shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement shall have been issued or proceedings for that purpose initiated by the SEC;

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•

Vickers’s shareholders shall have approved the Proposals at the Meeting by the requisite vote required under law and the governing documents of Vickers;

•

Scilex stockholders shall have approved the Merger Agreement by written consent of the requisite number of votes required under law and the governing documents of Scilex; and

•

Conditions to the Obligations of Vickers and Merger Sub

•

All of the representations and warranties of Scilex contained in the Merger Agreement disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained herein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect with respect to Scilex, regardless of whether it involved a known risk, shall be true and correct at and as of the date of the Merger Agreement, and be true and correct as of the Closing Date (other than, in each case, if the representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, then such representations and warranties need only to be true and correct as of such date), other than as would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Scilex.

•

Since the date the Merger Agreement was signed, no Material Adverse Effect has occurred that is continuing, regardless of whether it involved a known risk.

•

Sorrento shall have executed the Registration Rights Agreement.

Conditions to the Obligations of Scilex

•

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known risk, shall be true and correct at and as of the date of the Merger Agreement and be true and correct as of the Closing Date (other than in each case except for representation and warranties that speak as of a specific date, in which case such representations and warranties need only to be true and correct as of such), other than as would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Vickers.

•

Since the date of the Merger Agreement, no Material Adverse Effect with respect to Vickers has occurred that is continuing, regardless of whether it involved a known risk.

•

Scilex shall have received a certificate signed by an authorized officer of Vickers and Merger Sub certifying the satisfaction of the conditions described in the preceding three bullet points.

•

Each of Vickers and Merger Sub shall have executed and delivered to Scilex each ancillary agreement to be executed in connection with the Business Combination to which it is a party.

•

The directors designated by Scilex shall have been appointed to the Vickers Board, effective as of the Closing.

•

The Investment Management Trust Agreement shall have been amended solely to the extent necessary to enable the intended effects of the UWA Amendment without breach of, or other conflict with, the Investment Management Trust Agreement as so amended.

Termination; Effectiveness

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned:

•

by the mutual written consent of Scilex and Vickers;

•

by Vickers, if any of the representations or warranties of Scilex set forth in the Merger Agreement shall not be true and correct, or if Scilex has failed to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of the Scilex set forth in the Merger Agreement (including an obligation to consummate the Closing), in each case such that the conditions to Vickers’s obligations to consummate the Business Combination with respect to the accuracy of Scilex’s representations and warranties or compliance with its covenants and agreements, in each as set forth in the Merger Agreement, would not be satisfied and the breach or breaches causing such representations or warranties not to be true and correct, or the failure to perform any covenant or agreement, as applicable, are not cured (or waived by Vickers) by the earlier of (i) the Outside Date or (ii) 30 days after written notice thereof is delivered to Scilex; provided, however, that Vickers shall not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement if Vickers or Merger Sub is then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under the Merger Agreement, which breach has not been cured;

•

by Scilex, if any of the representations or warranties of Vickers or Merger Sub set forth in the Merger Agreement shall not be true and correct, or if Vickers or Merger Sub has failed to perform

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any covenant or agreement on its part set forth in the Merger Agreement (including an obligation to consummate the Closing), in each case such that the conditions to Scilex’s obligations to consummate the Business Combination with respect to the accuracy of Vickers’s and Merger Sub’s representations and warranties or compliance with their covenants and agreements, in each case, as set forth in the Merger Agreement, would not be satisfied and the breach or breaches causing such representations or warranties not to be true and correct, or the failure to perform any covenant or agreement, as applicable, are not cured (or waived by Scilex) by the earlier of (i) the Outside Date or (ii) 30 days after written notice thereof is delivered to Vickers; provided, however, that Scilex shall not have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to this provision if Scilex is then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under the Merger Agreement, which breach has not been cured;

•

by either Scilex or Vickers:

(i)

(ii)

•

In the event of the termination of the Merger Agreement, written notice thereof will be given by the party desiring to terminate to the other party or parties, specifying the provision of the Merger Agreement pursuant to which such termination is made, and the Merger Agreement shall following such delivery become null and void (other than such termination provisions and certain miscellaneous provisions of the Merger Agreement), and there shall be no liability on the part of Vickers or Merger Sub or their respective directors, officers and Affiliates; provided, however, that nothing in the Merger Agreement will relieve any party from liability for any fraud or willful breach.

Waiver; Amendments

No provision of the Merger Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party or parties against whom such waiver is effective. Any party to the Merger Agreement may, at any time prior to the Closing, by action taken by its board of directors, (i) extend the time for the performance of the obligations or acts of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties (of another party hereto) that are contained in the Merger Agreement or (iii) waive compliance by the other parties hereto with any of the agreements or conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, but such extension or waiver will be valid only if in writing signed by the waiving party.

The Merger Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing that is executed in the same manner as the Merger Agreement and which makes reference to the Merger Agreement.

Fees and Expenses

If the Closing does not occur, each party to the Merger Agreement will be responsible for and pay its own expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,

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including all fees of its legal counsel, financial advisers and accountants. If the Closing occurs, New Scilex will, upon the consummation of the Business Combination and release of proceeds from the Trust Account, pay or cause to be paid all accrued and unpaid transaction expenses of Scilex and pay or cause to be paid all accrued and unpaid transaction expenses of Vickers or its affiliates (including the Sponsor). Vickers and Scilex will exchange written statements listing all accrued and unpaid transaction expenses not less than two business days prior to the Closing Date.

Certain Related Agreements and Arrangements

This section describes the material provisions of certain additional agreements and compensation arrangements entered into or to be entered into pursuant to the Merger Agreement, but does not purport to describe all of the terms thereof. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of each of the agreements. The form of Sponsor Support Agreement, the Company Stockholder Support Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex F, Annex G, and Annex H, respectively, to the Registration Statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You are urged to read such agreements in their entirety prior to voting on the Business Combination Proposal.

Sponsor Support Agreement. Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Vickers, Scilex, the Sponsors and certain directors and officers of Vickers entered into a Sponsor Support Agreement dated March 17, 2022 pursuant to which, among other things, the Sponsors and directors and officers of Vickers agreed to, among other things, (i) vote all of the Vickers Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by them, including any additional shares to which they acquire ownership of or the power to vote, in favor of the Proposals, (ii) not to redeem any of their Vickers ordinary shares in conjunction with shareholder approval of the Business Combination and (iii) waive any and all anti-dilution or similar rights (if any) that may otherwise be available under applicable law or pursuant to any contract with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and not to take any action in furtherance of exercising any such rights. Additionally, under such support agreement, each Sponsor has agreed, subject to and contingent upon the Closing, in the event that holders of more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares exercise redemption rights in conjunction with the shareholder vote on the Proposals, then such Sponsor will forfeit a number of its Private Placement Warrants equal to forty percent (40%) of all Private Placement Warrants held by such Sponsor immediately prior to Closing.

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement. The Merger Agreement contemplates that, at or prior to the Closing, Vickers, Sorrento, the Sponsors, and our directors Pei Wei Woo, Suneel Kaji and Steve Myint, will enter into the Registration Rights Agreement, whereby, subject to certain customary exceptions, the parties will agree, among other things, not to transfer any Vickers Ordinary Shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchanged for Vickers Common Stock beneficially owned or owned of record by such holder until the date that is the earlier of (i) one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the date on which New Scilex completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of New Scilex’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of New Scilex Common Stock for cash, securities or other property. The Registration Rights Agreement will govern the registration of certain shares of Vickers Common Stock for resale and be effective as of the Closing, and includes certain customary demand and “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to shares of New Scilex Common Stock held by the parties thereto. A maximum of 133,989,542 shares of New Scilex Common Stock will be subject to the Registration Rights Agreement.

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PROPOSAL 2 — THE DOMESTICATION PROPOSAL

Vickers is asking its shareholders to approve and adopt the Domestication Proposal. Under the Merger Agreement, the approval of the Domestication Proposal is also a condition to the consummation of the Business Combination.

As a condition to closing the Business Combination, the Vickers Board unanimously has approved, and Vickers’s shareholders are being asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve a change of Vickers’s jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. To effect the Domestication, Vickers will file an application to deregister with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and file a certificate of incorporation and a certificate of corporate domestication with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which Vickers will be domesticated and continue as a Delaware corporation.

In connection with the Domestication, prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, (i) each issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Share will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of New Scilex Common Stock, (ii) each issued and outstanding warrant to purchase Vickers Ordinary Shares will convert automatically into a warrant to acquire one share of New Scilex Common Stock, and (iii) each issued and outstanding Unit will be converted automatically into a new unit with each unit representing one share of New Scilex Common Stock and one-half of one warrant to purchase New Scilex Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share on the terms and conditions set forth in Vickers’s form of warrant agreement.

The Domestication Proposal, if approved, will approve a change of Vickers’s jurisdiction of incorporation from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware. Accordingly, while Vickers is currently incorporated as an exempted company under the Cayman Islands Companies Act, upon the Domestication, Vickers will be governed by the DGCL. Vickers encourages shareholders to carefully consult the information set out below under “Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights.” Additionally, if the Domestication Proposal is approved, then Vickers will also ask its shareholders to approve the Charter Approval Proposal (discussed below), which, if approved, will replace the Current Charter with the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws under the DGCL. The Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws differ in certain material respects from the Current Charter and Vickers encourages shareholders to carefully consult the information set out below under “Proposal 3 — The Charter Approval Proposal” and “Proposal 4 — The Bylaws Approval Proposal” and the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws, attached hereto as Annex B and Annex C.

Reasons for the Domestication

The Vickers Board believes that it would be in the best interests of Vickers to effect the Domestication immediately prior to the completion of the Business Combination.

Because Vickers will operate within the United States following the Merger, it is the view of the Vickers Board that Vickers should also be structured as a corporation organized in the United States. The Vickers Board believes Delaware provides a recognized body of corporate law that will facilitate corporate governance by Vickers officers and directors. Delaware maintains a favorable legal and regulatory environment in which to operate. For many years, Delaware has followed a policy of encouraging companies to incorporate there and, in furtherance of that policy, has adopted comprehensive, modern and flexible corporate laws that are regularly updated and revised to meet changing business needs. As a result, many corporations have initially chosen Delaware as their domicile or have subsequently reincorporated in Delaware in a manner similar to the procedures Vickers is proposing. Due to Delaware’s longstanding policy of encouraging incorporation in that state and consequently its popularity as the state of incorporation, the Delaware courts have developed a considerable expertise in dealing with corporate issues and a substantial body of case law has developed construing the DGCL and establishing public policies with respect to Delaware corporations. It is anticipated that the DGCL will continue to be interpreted and explained in a number of significant court decisions that may provide greater predictability with respect to Vickers’s corporate legal affairs.

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Expected Accounting Treatment of the Domestication

There will be no accounting effect or change in the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities of Vickers as a result of the Domestication. The business, capitalization, assets and liabilities, and financial statements of Vickers immediately following the Domestication will be the same as those of Vickers immediately prior to the Domestication.

Vote Required for Approval

The approval of the Domestication Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will not count as votes cast at the Meeting, and otherwise will have no effect on the proposal.

The Domestication Proposal is conditioned on the approval (or waiver) of each of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT the change of the domicile of Vickers pursuant to a transfer by way of continuation of an exempted company out of the Cayman Islands and a domestication into the State of Delaware as a corporation, and the de-registration of Vickers in the Cayman Islands (the “Domestication”) and the approval of the related interim certificate of incorporation and bylaws under Delaware law of Vickers, in each case, prior to the Effective Time of the Business Combination, be and are hereby approved (such proposal, the “Domestication Proposal”). The Domestication Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE DOMESTICATION PROPOSAL.

The existence of financial and personal interests of one or more of Vickers’s directors may result in a conflict of interest on the part of such director(s) between what he, she, or they may believe is in the best interests of Vickers and Vickers’s shareholders and what he, she, or they may believe is best for himself, herself, or themselves in determining to recommend that shareholders vote for the proposals. In addition, Vickers’s officers have interests in the Business Combination that may conflict with your interests as a shareholder. See the section entitled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination” for a further discussion of these considerations.

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PROPOSAL 3 — THE CHARTER APPROVAL PROPOSAL

Overview

Our shareholders are being asked to approve and adopt the Proposed Charter in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B, which, if approved, would take effect upon the Closing.

If the Business Combination Proposal is approved and the Business Combination is to be consummated, Vickers will adopt the Proposed Charter to:

•

increase the total number of authorized shares of all classes of capital stock to 750,000,000 shares, consisting of 740,000,000 authorized shares of common stock and 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock;

•

provide that the Vickers Board be divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected each year and each class serving three year terms;

•

require the removal of any director be only for cause and by the affirmative vote of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event (and prior to such event, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote generally in the election of such directors);

•

provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, the alteration, amendment or repeal of certain provisions of the Proposed Charter will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class;

•

provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, the alteration, amendment or repeal of the Proposed Bylaws will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class;

•

provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, stockholders will not be permitted to act by written consent in lieu of holding a meeting of stockholders; and

•

provide for certain additional changes, including, among other things, (a) changing the post- combination company’s corporate name from “Vickers Vantage Corp. I” to “Scilex Holding Company” and (b) removing certain provisions related to Vickers’s status as a blank check company that will no longer apply upon consummation of the Business Combination.

Reasons for the Approval of the Charter Approval Proposal

In the judgment of the Vickers Board, the Proposed Charter is necessary to adequately address the needs of the post-Business Combination company. In particular:

•

The Proposed Charter is intended to provide a greater number of authorized shares of capital stock, which is desirable for Vickers to have sufficient shares to issue to the holders of Scilex Common Stock in the Business Combination and have enough additional authorized shares for financing its business, for acquiring other businesses, for forming strategic partnerships and alliances and for stock dividends and stock splits and to issue upon exercise of the Warrants and of equity grants currently outstanding or made under the Equity Incentive Plan (assuming it is approved at the Meeting).

•

The Vickers Board believes that the classification of the board of directors is in the best interest of the post-Business Combination company because it is designed to assure the continuity and stability of the Vickers Board’s leadership and policies by ensuring that at any given time a majority of the directors will have prior experience with Vickers and, therefore, will be familiar with its business and operations. The Vickers Board also believes that this classification will assist the Vickers Board in protecting the interests of our stockholders in the event of an unsolicited offer to the Vickers Board by encouraging any potential acquirer to negotiate directly with the Vickers Board.

•

The Vickers Board believes that the supermajority voting requirements are appropriate to protect all stockholders of Vickers against the potential self-interested actions by one or a few large

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stockholders after the Business Combination, at such time as the Sorrento Group first ceases to beneficially own more than 50% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. In reaching this conclusion, the Vickers Board is cognizant of the potential for certain stockholders to hold a substantial beneficial ownership of shares of common stock following the Business Combination, particularly after the Sorrento Trigger Event. The Vickers Board further believes that going forward, if, and after, the Sorrento Trigger Event, a supermajority voting requirement encourages the person seeking control of Vickers to negotiate with the Vickers Board to reach terms that are appropriate for all stockholders.

•

The Vickers Board believes that it is desirable to prohibit, from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, stockholder action by written consent as a prudent corporate governance measure to reduce the possibility that a block of stockholders could take corporate actions without the benefit of a stockholder meeting to consider important corporate issues.

•

The Vickers Board believes that the Proposed Charter is appropriate to adequately update the Current Charter for the post-Business Combination company, because it will eliminate obsolete language that will no longer be applicable following the consummation of the Business Combination and make such other changes that are more appropriate for a public operating company.

Vote Required for Approval

The approval of the Charter Approval Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will not count as votes at the Meeting, and otherwise will have no effect on the proposal.

The Charter Approval Proposal is conditioned on the approval (or waiver) of each of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT, in connection with the Business Combination, the replacement of the Current Charter with the proposed amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Vickers (the “Proposed Charter”), in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B, to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, be and is hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Charter Approval Proposal”). The Charter Approval Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE CHARTER APPROVAL PROPOSAL.

The existence of financial and personal interests of one or more of Vickers’s directors may result in a conflict of interest on the part of such director(s) between what such director or directors may believe is in the best interests of Vickers and its shareholders and what such director or directors may believe is best for such director or directors in determining to recommend that shareholders vote for the Proposals. In addition, Vickers’s officers have interests in the Business Combination that may conflict with your interests as a shareholder. See the section above entitled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination” for a further discussion of these considerations.

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PROPOSAL 4 — THE BYLAWS APPROVAL PROPOSAL

Overview

Our shareholders are being asked to approve and adopt the Proposed Bylaws in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C, which, if approved, would take effect upon the Closing.

Reasons for the Approval of the Bylaws Approval Proposal

In the judgment of the Vickers Board, the Proposed Bylaws are necessary to adequately address the needs of the post-Business Combination company. Under the Merger Agreement, the approval of the Bylaws Approval Proposal is a condition, among other conditions, to the adoption of the Business Combination Proposal and vice versa. Accordingly, if the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, the Bylaws Approval Proposal will have no effect.

Vote Required for Approval

The approval of the Bylaws Approval Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will not count as votes at the Meeting, and otherwise will have no effect on the proposal.

The Bylaws Approval Proposal is conditioned upon the approval (or waiver) of each of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT, in connection with the Business Combination, the amended and restated bylaws, in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C, to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, be and are hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Bylaws Approval Proposal”). The Bylaws Approval Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE BYLAWS APPROVAL PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSALS 5A-5G — THE ADVISORY GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS

Overview

In connection with the Business Combination, Vickers is asking its shareholders to vote, on a nonbinding advisory basis, upon proposals (collectively, the “Advisory Governance Proposals”) to approve and adopt certain governance provisions contained in the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws. This separate vote is not otherwise required by Cayman Islands law separate and apart from the Charter Approval Proposal and the Bylaws Approval Proposal, but, pursuant to SEC guidance, Vickers is required to submit these provisions to its shareholders separately for approval, allowing shareholders the opportunity to present their separate views on important governance provisions. However, the shareholder votes regarding these proposals are advisory votes, and are not binding on Vickers or the Vickers Board (separate and apart from the approval of the Charter Approval Proposal and the Bylaws Approval Proposal). In the judgment of the Vickers Board, these provisions are necessary to adequately address the needs of the post-Business Combination company. Furthermore, the Business Combination is not conditioned on the separate approval of the Advisory Governance Proposals (separate and apart from approval of the Charter Approval Proposal and the Bylaws Approval Proposal).

Advisory Governance Proposals

The following table sets forth a summary of the governance provisions applicable to the Advisory Governance Proposals. This summary is qualified by reference to the complete text of the Proposed Charter, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex B. All shareholders are encouraged to read the Proposed Charter in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms.

Advisory Governing Documents Proposal	Vickers’s Current Charter	Proposed Charter
Advisory Proposal A — Changes in Authorized Share Capital	The Current Charter provides that the share capital of Vickers is US$20,100 divided into 200,000,000 ordinary shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each and 1,000,000 preference shares of a par value of US$0.0001 each.	The Proposed Charter will authorize the issuance of up to 750,000,000 shares, par value $0.0001 per share, consisting of (i) 740,000,000 shares of common stock and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
Advisory Proposal B — Number of Directors	Pursuant to the Current Charter, there shall be a board of directors consisting of not less than one person; provided, however, that Vickers may, by ordinary resolution, increase or reduce the limits in the number of directors.	The Proposed Charter provides that subject to the rights of any holders of preferred stock to elect directors, the number of directors that shall constitute the New Scilex Board shall be as determined from time to time exclusively by the New Scilex Board, except that until such time as the Sorrento Trigger Event occurs, the stockholders of New Scilex shall be permitted to fix the number of directors.
Advisory Proposal C — Required Vote for the Removal of Directors	The Current Charter provides that shareholders may, by ordinary resolution, remove any director. A director may be removed if all of the other directors (being not less than two in number) determine that he should be removed as a director, either by a	The Proposed Charter provides that directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote generally in the election of such directors;

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Advisory Governing Documents Proposal	Vickers’s Current Charter	Proposed Charter
	resolution passed by all of the other directors at a meeting of the directors duly convened and held in accordance with the Current Charter or by a resolution in writing signed by all of the other directors.	provided, however, that, from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event any such director or all such directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.
Advisory Proposal D — Required Vote to Amend Certain Provisions of the Proposed Charter	The Current Charter provides that as regards to matters to be dealt with by ordinary resolution, Vickers may, by special resolution, alter or add to the Current Charter with respect to any objects, powers or other matters specified therein.	The Proposed Charter provides that from and after the occurrence of the Sorrento Trigger Event, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles V (Board of Directors), VI (Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting; Special Meetings of Stockholders), VII (Limitation of Liability), VIII (Corporate Opportunities and Competition), IX (Exclusive Forum), X (Section 203 of the DGCL) and XI (Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws).
Advisory Proposal E — Required Vote to Amend the Proposed Bylaws	The Current Charter provides that as regards to matters to be dealt with by ordinary resolution, Vickers may, by special resolution, alter or add to the Current Charter.	The Proposed Charter provides that from and after the occurrence of the Sorrento Trigger Event, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of New Scilex to alter, amend or repeal, in whole or in part, any provision of the Proposed Bylaws or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.
Advisory Proposal F — Stockholder Action by Written Consent	The Current Charter permits the shareholders to approve resolutions by way of unanimous written resolution.	The Proposed Charter provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of New Scilex must be effected by a duly called

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Advisory Governing Documents Proposal	Vickers’s Current Charter	Proposed Charter
		annual or special meeting of such stockholders; provided, however, that prior to the Sorrento Trigger Event, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of New Scilex may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by or on behalf of the holders of record of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, is delivered to New Scilex in accordance with the DGCL.
Advisory Proposal G — Changes in Connection with Adoption of the Proposed Charter	The Current Charter contains various provisions applicable only to blank check companies.	The Proposed Charter would (i) change the post-Business Combination company’s corporate name from “Vickers Vantage Corp. I” to “Scilex Holding Company” and make the post-Business Combination company’s corporate existence perpetual and (ii) remove certain provisions related to Vickers’s status as a blank check company that will no longer apply upon consummation of the business combination.

Reasons for Approval of the Advisory Governance Proposals

Advisory Proposal A — Changes in Authorized Share Capital

The principal purpose of this proposal is to provide for an authorized capital structure of New Scilex that will enable it to continue as an operating company governed by the DGCL and provide adequate authorized share capital to, among other things, (i) accommodate the issuance of shares of New Scilex Common Stock as stock consideration in the Business Combination, (ii) accommodate the issuance of shares of New Scilex Common Stock under the Equity Incentive Plan and the ESPP (which authorize the issuance of shares of New Scilex Common Stock) as we determine from time to time is necessary to attract and retain talented employees, and (iii) provide flexibility for future issuances of shares of New Scilex Common Stock if determined by the New Scilex Board to be in the best interests of New Scilex after the consummation of the Business Combination without incurring the risk, delay and potential expense incident to obtaining stockholder approval to increase the authorized share capital.

The Vickers Board believes that it is important for New Scilex to have available for issuance a number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock sufficient to support our growth and to provide flexibility for future corporate needs (including, if needed, for employee compensation, financings and/or acquisitions).

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Advisory Proposal B — Number of Directors

Subject to the rights of any holders of preferred stock to elect directors, the number of directors that shall constitute the New Scilex Board shall be as determined from time to time exclusively by the New Scilex Board; provided that, at any time the Sorrento Group beneficially owns, in the aggregate, at least 50% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, the stockholders may also fix the number of directors by resolution adopted by the stockholders.

Advisory Proposals C, D and E — Required Vote for the Removal of Directors; Required Vote to Amend Certain Provisions of the Proposed Charter; Required Vote to Amend the Proposed Bylaws

The Vickers Board believes that supermajority voting requirements described in Advisory Governance Proposals C, D and G are appropriate to protect all stockholders of Vickers against the potential self-interested actions by one or a few large stockholders after the business combination. In reaching this conclusion, the Vickers Board is cognizant of the potential for certain stockholders to hold a substantial beneficial ownership of shares of common stock following the business combination.

Advisory Proposal F — Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Advisory Proposal G — Changes in Connection with Adoption of the Proposed Charter

The Vickers Board believes that changing the post-Business Combination corporate name from “Vickers Vantage Corp. I” to “Scilex Holding Company” and making the post-Business Combination company’s corporate existence perpetual is desirable to reflect the Business Combination with Scilex and to clearly identify the post-Business Combination company as the publicly traded entity. Additionally, perpetual existence is the usual period of existence for corporations, and the Vickers Board believes that it is the most appropriate period for the company following the business combination.

Furthermore, the Vickers Board has determined it is in the best interest of Vickers to eliminate provisions specific to its status as a blank check company. This deletion is desirable because these provisions will serve no purpose following consummation of the business combination. For example, these proposed amendments remove the requirement to dissolve Vickers and allow Vickers to continue as a corporate entity with perpetual existence following consummation of the business combination. Perpetual existence is the usual period of existence for corporations, and the Vickers Board believes it is the most appropriate period for the company following the business combination.

Vote Required for Approval

The approval of the Advisory Governance Proposals requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

As discussed above, a vote to approve each of the Advisory Governance Proposals is an advisory vote, and therefore, is not binding on Vickers, Scilex or their respective boards of directors. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote on the Advisory Governance Proposals, Vickers and Scilex intend that the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws, in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B and Annex C, respectively, and containing the provisions noted above, will take effect at the Closing of the Business Combination, assuming approval of the Charter Approval Proposal and Bylaws Approval Proposal, respectively. Furthermore, neither the Business Combination nor any of the Condition Precedent Proposals are conditioned upon the approval of the Advisory Governance Proposals.

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Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT on a non-binding advisory basis, certain governance provisions contained in the Proposed Charter, being presented in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as seven separate sub-proposals be and are hereby approved and adopted (collectively, as the “Advisory Governance Proposals”), none of which are conditioned on any Condition Precedent Proposals:

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Advisory Proposal C — to require the removal of any director be only for cause and by the affirmative vote of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event (and prior to such event, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of New Scilex entitled to vote generally in the election of such directors);

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Advisory Proposal D — to provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, the alteration, amendment or repeal of certain provisions of the Proposed Charter will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class;

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Advisory Proposal E — to provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, the alteration, amendment or repeal of the Proposed Bylaws will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class;

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Advisory Proposal F — to provide that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, stockholders will not be permitted to act by written consent in lieu of holding a meeting of stockholders; and

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Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF EACH OF THE ADVISORY GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS.

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PROPOSAL 6 — THE DIRECTOR ELECTION PROPOSAL

Overview

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Vickers has agreed to take all necessary action, including causing the Vickers Board to resign, so that effective at the Closing, the New Scilex Board will consist of seven individuals, a majority of whom will be independent directors in accordance with the requirements of Nasdaq.

Director Nominees

At the Meeting, it is proposed that seven directors will be elected to be the directors of New Scilex to take office upon consummation of the Business Combination. Immediately prior to and upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the New Scilex Board will be reclassified into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The number of directors in each class is as equal as possible. The Class I Directors stand appointed for a term expiring at Vickers’s first annual general meeting, the Class II Directors stand appointed for a term expiring at our second annual general meeting and the Class III Directors stand appointed for a term expiring at our third annual general meeting. Commencing at the first annual general meeting, and at each annual general meeting thereafter, directors appointed to succeed those directors whose terms expire are appointed for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual general meeting after their appointment. Except as applicable law may otherwise require, in the interim between annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings called for the appointment of directors and/or the removal of one or more directors and the filling of any vacancy, additional directors and any vacancies in the board of directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though a quorum may not be present at any meeting of the directors, or by the sole remaining director. All directors hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors have been appointed. A director appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director serves for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal has created the vacancy and until his successor has been appointed.

It is proposed that the New Scilex Board will consist of the following directors:

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Class I directors: Dorman Followwill, David Lemus, and Tommy Thompson and their term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023;

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Class II directors: Tien-Li Lee, M.D. and Laura J. Hamill and their term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024; and

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Class III directors: Henry Ji, Ph.D. and Jaisim Shah and their term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2025.

Information regarding each nominee is set forth in the section titled “Directors and Executive Officers of New Scilex after the Business Combination.”

Vote Required for Approval

The election of each director requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Unless authority is withheld or the shares are subject to a broker non-vote, the proxies solicited by the Vickers Board will be voted “FOR” the election of these nominees. In case any of the nominees becomes unavailable for election to the New Scilex Board, an event that is not anticipated, the persons named as proxies, or their substitutes, will have full discretion and authority to vote or refrain from voting for any other candidate in accordance with their judgment. Any shares not voted “FOR” a particular nominee (whether as a result of a direction to withhold authority or a broker non-vote) will not be counted in the nominee’s favor.

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The Director Election Proposal is not conditioned on the approval of each of the other Condition Precedent Proposals and the Director Election Proposal will only become effective if the Business Combination is completed.

Following consummation of the Business Combination, the election of New Scilex Board will be governed by the Proposed Charter and Proposed Bylaws and the laws of the State of Delaware.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT, effective as of the consummation of the Business Combination, Jaisim Shah, Henry Ji, Ph.D., Dorman Followwill, Laura J. Hamill, Tien-Li Lee, M.D., David Lemus, and Tommy Thompson, be and are hereby elected as directors and serve on the New Scilex Board until the expiration of their respective terms and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified (such proposal, the “Director Election Proposal”). The Director Election Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES SET FORTH IN THE DIRECTOR ELECTION PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSAL 7 — THE STOCK PLAN PROPOSAL

We are asking our shareholders to approve and adopt the Scilex Holding Company 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”) and the material terms thereunder.

The Equity Incentive Plan is described in more detail below. A copy of the Equity Incentive Plan is included in this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D.

Overview

The following is a summary description of the Equity Incentive Plan as proposed to be approved by Vickers in connection with the Business Combination. The summary is not a complete statement of the Equity Incentive Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Equity Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex D. Vickers’s shareholders should refer to the Equity Incentive Plan for more complete and detailed information about the terms and conditions of the Equity Incentive Plan. In the event of a conflict between the information in this description and the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, the Equity Incentive Plan shall control. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this summary description to “we”, “us” and “our” generally refer to Vickers in the present tense or New Scilex from and after the Business Combination.

Background of the Equity Incentive Plan

On , 2022, the Vickers Board approved, subject to the approval by our shareholders, the Equity Incentive Plan. The Equity Incentive Plan will become effective on the later of (i) the date on which the Equity Incentive Plan is approved by our shareholders and (ii) the day immediately preceding the date on which the Closing occurs and, if shareholder approval is obtained, New Scilex will be authorized to grant awards to eligible service providers as described below. If the Equity Incentive Plan is not approved by our shareholders, the Equity Incentive Plan will not become effective and New Scilex will not be able to grant equity awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. We believe our ability to recruit and retain top talent will be adversely affected if the Equity Incentive Plan is not approved.

Summary of the Equity Incentive Plan

Purpose of the Equity Incentive Plan

The purpose of the Equity Incentive Plan is to secure and retain the services of employees, directors and consultants, to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for our success and to provide a means by which such persons may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the New Scilex Common Stock through the granting of awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. We believe that the awards to be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan will motivate award recipients to offer their maximum effort to New Scilex and help focus them on the creation of long-term value consistent with the interests of our shareholders. We believe that grants of incentive awards are necessary to enable New Scilex to attract and retain top talent.

Awards

The Equity Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, to our employees and our parent and subsidiary corporations’ employees, and for the grant of nonstatutory stock options (“NSOs”), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards and other forms of awards to our employees, directors and consultants and any of our affiliates’ employees and consultants. As of , 2022, there were approximately employees of Scilex, including executive officers, non-employee directors and consultants eligible to be granted awards under the Equity Incentive Plan.

Authorized Shares

Initially, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan after it becomes effective will not exceed (i) shares of our common stock, plus (ii) an

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additional number of shares of common stock equal to the number of shares subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2019 Scilex Holding Company Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “2019 Stock Option Plan”), that, following the effective date of the Equity Incentive Plan, (a) are not issued because the award or any portion of the award expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by the award having been issued, (b) are not issued because the award or any portion thereof is settled in cash, (c) are forfeited back to or repurchased by us because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares, (d) are withheld or reacquired to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price or (e) are withheld or reacquired to satisfy a tax withholding obligation. In addition, the number of shares of our common stock that will be reserved for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years, beginning on January 1, 2023 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2032, in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) 4% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding year, (2) shares of common stock, and (3) such number of shares of our common stock determined by our board of directors or the compensation committee of our board of directors prior to January 1 of a given year. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing sentence, the aggregate maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs under the Equity Incentive Plan is shares, which amount will be increased commencing on January 1, 2023 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2032, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 4% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding year, (ii) shares of common stock, and (iii) such number of shares of our common stock determined by our board of directors or the compensation committee of our board of directors prior to January 1 of a given year. All of the foregoing share numbers are subject to adjustment as necessary to implement any changes in our capital structure (as described below).

Shares subject to awards that will be granted under the Equity Incentive Plan that expire or terminate without being exercised in full will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan. The settlement of any portion of an award in cash will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan. Shares withheld under an award to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an award or to satisfy a tax withholding obligation will not reduce the number of shares that will be available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan. With respect to a stock appreciation right, only shares of common stock that are issued upon settlement of the stock appreciation right will count towards reducing the number of shares available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan. If any shares of our common stock issued pursuant to an award are forfeited back to or repurchased or reacquired by us (i) because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; (ii) to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an award; or (iii) to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an award, the shares that are forfeited or repurchased or reacquired will revert to and again become available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan. The closing price of a share of our common stock on , 2022 was $ per share.

Plan Administration

Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors, will administer the Equity Incentive Plan. Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors, may, in accordance with the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, delegate to one or more of our officers the authority to (i) designate employees (other than officers) to be recipients of specified awards, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such awards; and (ii) determine the number of shares of common stock to be subject to such awards granted to such employees. Under the Equity Incentive Plan, our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors, will have the authority to determine: award recipients; how and when each award will be granted; the types of awards to be granted; the provisions of each award, including the period of exercisability and the vesting schedule applicable to an award; the number of shares of common stock or cash equivalent subject to each award; the fair market value applicable to an award; and the terms of any performance award that is not valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, common stock, including the amount of cash payment or other property that may be earned and the timing of payment.

Under the Equity Incentive Plan, (i) our board of directors will not, without stockholder approval, (a) reduce the exercise or strike price of an option or stock appreciation right (other than in connection

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with a capitalization adjustment), and (b) at any time when the exercise or strike price of an option or stock appreciation right is above the fair market value of a share of our common stock, cancel and re-grant or exchange such option or stock appreciation right for a new award with a lower (or no) purchase price or for cash, and (ii) a participant’s rights under any award will not be materially adversely impaired by any amendment without the participant’s written consent.

We will also designate a plan administrator to administer the day-to-day operations of the Equity Incentive Plan.

Stock Options

Options will be granted under stock option agreements adopted by our board of directors. Each option will be designated in writing as an ISO or an NSO. Our board of directors will determine the exercise price for stock options, within the terms and conditions of the Equity Incentive Plan, except the exercise price of a stock option generally will not be less than 100% (or 110% in the case of ISOs granted to a person who owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our parent or subsidiary corporations, or a ten percent stockholder) of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the Equity Incentive Plan will vest at the rate specified in the stock option agreement as will be determined by our board of directors. The terms and conditions of separate options need not be identical.

No option will be exercisable after the expiration of ten years (or five years in the case of ISOs granted to a ten percent stockholder) or a shorter period specified in the applicable award agreement. Unless the terms of an optionholder’s stock option agreement, or other written agreement between us and the recipient, provide otherwise, if an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than disability, death or cause, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 18 months following the date of death. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months following the cessation of service. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate upon the termination date. An optionholder may not exercise an option at any time that the issuance of shares upon such exercise would violate applicable law. Unless provided otherwise in the optionholder’s stock option agreement or other written agreement between an optionholder and us, if an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than for cause and, at any time during the last thirty days of the applicable post-termination exercise period: (i) the exercise of the optionholder’s option would be prohibited solely because the issuance of shares of common stock upon such exercise would violate applicable law, or (ii) the immediate sale of any shares of common stock issued upon such exercise would violate our trading policy, then the applicable post-termination exercise period will be extended to the last day of the calendar month that begins after the date the award would otherwise expire, with an additional extension of the exercise period to the last day of the next calendar month to apply if any of the foregoing restrictions apply at any time during such extended exercise period. There is no limitation as to the maximum permitted number of extensions. However, in no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by our board of directors and may include (i) cash or check, bank draft or money order payable to us; (ii) a broker-assisted cashless exercise; (iii) subject to certain conditions, the tender of shares of our common stock previously owned by the optionholder; (iv) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO; or (v) other legal consideration acceptable to our board of directors.

Unless our board of directors provides otherwise, options or stock appreciation rights generally will not be transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to approval of our board of directors or a duly authorized officer, an option may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order.

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Limitations on ISOs

The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans or plans of our affiliates may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our parent or subsidiary corporations unless (i) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant; and (ii) the term of the ISO does not exceed five years from the date of grant.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

Subject to the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, each restricted stock unit award will have such terms and conditions as determined by our board of directors. A restricted stock unit award represents a participant’s right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of our common stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units subject to the award. A participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of ours with respect to any restricted stock unit award (unless and until shares are actually issued in settlement of a vested restricted stock unit award). A restricted stock unit award will be granted in consideration for a participant’s services to us or an affiliate, such that the participant will not be required to make any payment to us (other than such services) with respect to the grant or vesting of the restricted stock unit award, or the issuance of any shares of common stock pursuant to the restricted stock unit award. Our board of directors may determine that restricted stock unit awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. A restricted stock unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of stock (or any combination of our common stock and cash), or in any other form of consideration determined by our board of directors and set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement. At the time of grant, our board of directors may impose such restrictions or conditions on the award of restricted stock units that delay delivery to a date following the vesting of the award. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be paid or credited in respect of shares of common stock covered by a restricted stock unit award. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, or other written agreement between us and the recipient, restricted stock unit awards that have not vested will be forfeited once the participant’s continuous service ends for any reason.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock awards will be granted under restricted stock award agreements adopted by our board of directors. A restricted stock award may be awarded in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order, past services to us or any of our affiliates, or any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. Our board of directors will determine the terms and conditions of restricted stock awards, including vesting and forfeiture terms. Dividends may be paid or credited with respect to shares subject to a restricted stock award, as determined by our board of directors and specified in the applicable restricted stock award agreement. If a participant’s service relationship with us ends for any reason, we may receive any or all of the shares of common stock held by the participant that have not vested as of the date the participant terminates service with us through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right.

Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock appreciation rights will be granted under stock appreciation right agreements adopted by our board of directors and denominated in shares of common stock equivalents. The terms of separation stock appreciation rights need not be identical. Our board of directors will determine the purchase price or strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. A stock appreciation right granted under the Equity Incentive Plan will vest at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as will be determined by our board of directors. Stock appreciation rights may be settled in cash or shares of our common stock (or any

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combination of our common stock and cash) or in any other form of payment, as determined by our board of directors and specified in the stock appreciation right agreement.

Our board of directors will determine the term of stock appreciation rights granted under the Equity Incentive Plan, up to a maximum of ten years. If a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than cause, disability, or death, the participant may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation right for a period of three months following the cessation of service. If a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to death, or a participant dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the participant or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation rights for a period of 18 months following the date of death. If a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability, the participant may generally exercise any vested stock appreciation rights for a period of 12 months following the cessation of service. In the event of a termination for cause, stock appreciation rights generally terminate upon the termination date. A holder of a stock appreciation right may not exercise a stock appreciation right at any time that the issuance of shares upon such exercise would violate applicable law. Unless provided otherwise in the stock appreciation right agreement or other written agreement between the participant and us, if a participant’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases for any reason other than for cause and, at any time during the last thirty days of the applicable post-termination exercise period: (i) the exercise of the participant’s stock appreciation right would be prohibited solely because the issuance of shares upon such exercise would violate applicable law, or (ii) the immediate sale of any shares issued upon such exercise would violate our trading policy, then the applicable post-termination exercise period will be extended to the last day of the calendar month that begins after the date the award would otherwise expire, with an additional extension of the exercise period to the last day of the next calendar month to apply if any of the foregoing restrictions apply at any time during such extended exercise period. There is no limitation as to the maximum permitted number of extensions. However, in no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Performance Awards

The Equity Incentive Plan will permit the grant of performance awards that may be settled in stock, cash or other property. Performance awards may be structured so that the stock or cash will be issued or paid only following the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period. Performance awards that are settled in cash or other property are not required to be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common stock. The performance goals may be based on any measure of performance selected by our board of directors. The performance goals may be based on company-wide performance or performance of one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and may be either absolute or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by our board of directors at the time the performance award is granted, our board of directors will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals for a performance period as follows: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (v) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (vi) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (vii) to assume that any business divested by us achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture; (viii) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (ix) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under our bonus plans; (x) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (xi) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles.

Our board of directors retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of performance goals and to define the manner of calculating the performance

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criteria it selects to use for the performance period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the performance award agreement or the written terms of a performance cash award. Our board of directors will determine the length of any performance period, the performance goals to be achieved during a performance period and the other terms and conditions of such awards.

Other Stock Awards

Our board of directors will be permitted to grant other awards, based in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, our common stock, either alone or in addition to other awards. Our board of directors will have the sole and complete discretion to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which other stock awards will be granted, the number of shares under the other stock award (or cash equivalent) and all other terms and conditions of such awards.

Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit

The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid following the effective date of the Equity Incentive Plan to any individual for service as a non-employee director with respect to any fiscal year, including awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan (valued based on the grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes) and cash fees paid by us to such non-employee director, will not exceed $750,000 in total value, except such amount will increase to $1,000,000 for the year in which a non-employee director is first appointed or elected to our board of directors.

Changes to Capital Structure

In the event there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split, reverse stock split, or recapitalization, our board of directors will appropriately and proportionately adjust (i) the class(es) and maximum number of shares subject to the Equity Incentive Plan and the maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may annually increase pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan; (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of shares that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs; and (iii) the class(es) and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan.

Corporate Transactions

In the event of a corporate transaction (as defined below), unless otherwise provided in a participant’s award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates or unless otherwise expressly provided by our board of directors at the time of grant, any awards outstanding under the Equity Incentive Plan may be assumed, continued or substituted for, in whole or in part, by any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to our common stock issued pursuant to awards may be assigned to the successor (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume, continue or substitute for such awards, then (i) with respect to any such awards that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, or current participants, the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such awards will be accelerated in full (or, in the case of performance awards with multiple vesting levels depending on the level of performance, unless provided otherwise in the applicable award agreement, vesting will accelerate at 100% of the target level) to a date prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction (contingent upon the effectiveness of the corporate transaction) as our board of directors determines (or, if our board of directors does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction), and such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the corporate transaction); and (ii) any such awards that are held by persons other than current participants will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the occurrence of the corporate transaction, except that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the corporate transaction.

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In the event an award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a corporate transaction, our board of directors may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such award may not exercise such award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by our board of directors, equal in value to the excess (if any) of (i) the value of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of the award, over (ii) any per share exercise price payable by such holder, if applicable. As a condition to the receipt of an award, a participant will be deemed to have agreed that the award will be subject to the terms of any agreement under the Equity Incentive Plan governing a corporate transaction involving us.

Under the Equity Incentive Plan, a “corporate transaction” generally will be the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by our board of directors, of the consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries; (ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 50% of our outstanding securities; (iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation; or (iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.

Transferability

Except as expressly provided in the Equity Incentive Plan or the form of award agreement, awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan may not be transferred or assigned by a participant. After the vested shares subject to an award have been issued, or in the case of a restricted stock award and similar awards, after the issued shares have vested, the holder of such shares is free to assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in such shares provided that any such actions are in compliance with the provisions herein, the terms of our trading policy and applicable law.

Clawback/Recovery

All awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that we are required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which our securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Act or other applicable law and any clawback policy that we otherwise adopt, to the extent applicable and permissible under applicable law. In addition, our board of directors may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an award agreement as our board of directors determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of common stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of cause.

Amendment or Termination

Our board of directors may accelerate the time at which an award granted under the Equity Incentive Plan may first be exercised or the time during which an award grant under the Equity Incentive Plan or any part thereof will vest, notwithstanding the provisions in the award agreement stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest. Our board of directors will have the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate the Equity Incentive Plan at any time, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. Certain material amendments will also require the approval of our stockholders. No ISOs may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date our board of directors adopts the Equity Incentive Plan. No awards may be granted under the Equity Incentive Plan while it is suspended or after it is terminated.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Aspects of Awards Under the Equity Incentive Plan

The following is a general summary under current law of the material federal income tax consequences to participants in the Equity Incentive Plan under U.S. law. This summary deals with the general tax principles that apply and is provided only for general information. Certain types of taxes, such as state and local income taxes and taxes imposed by jurisdictions outside the U.S., are not discussed. Tax laws are complex and subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances and from locality to

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locality. The summary does not discuss all aspects of income taxation that may be relevant to a participant in light of his or her personal investment circumstances and this summarized tax information is not tax advice.

Section 162(m) of the Code

Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits to $1 million the amount that a publicly-held corporation is allowed each year to deduct for the compensation paid to the corporation’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer and certain of the corporation’s current and former executive officers.

Stock Options

A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time an option is granted, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. A participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) upon exercise of an NSO equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares purchased over their purchase price, and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply. A participant will not recognize income (except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax) upon exercise of an ISO. If the shares acquired by exercise of an ISO are held for at least two years from the date the option was granted and one year from the date it was exercised, any gain or loss arising from a subsequent disposition of those shares will be taxed as long-term capital gain or loss, and we will not be entitled to any deduction. If, however, such shares are disposed of within either of the above-described periods, then in the year of that disposition, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income equal to the excess of the lesser of (i) the amount realized upon that disposition, and (ii) the excess of the fair market value of those shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price, and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.

Stock Appreciation Rights

A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time a stock appreciation right is granted, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) in an amount equal to the fair market value of any shares delivered and the amount of cash paid upon settlement. This amount is deductible by us as a compensation expense, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.

Restricted Stock

A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time restricted stock is granted, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time, unless the participant makes an election to be taxed at that time. If such an election is made, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) at the time of the grant in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value for the shares at such time over the amount, if any, paid for those shares. If such election is not made, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) at the time the restrictions constituting a substantial risk of forfeiture lapse in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at such time over the amount, if any, paid for those shares. The amount of ordinary income recognized by making the above-described election or upon the lapse of restrictions is deductible by us as compensation expense, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.

Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards

A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time that restricted stock units or performance awards are granted, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. Upon settlement of restricted stock units or performance awards, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) in an amount equal to the fair market value of any shares or other consideration delivered and the amount of any cash paid by us. The

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amount of ordinary income recognized is deductible by us as compensation expense, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.

Other Stock Awards

The tax consequences associated with any other stock award will vary depending on the specific terms of such award. Among the relevant factors are whether or not the award has a readily ascertainable fair market value, whether or not the award is subject to forfeiture provisions or restrictions on transfer, the nature of the property to be received by the participant under the award, and the participant’s holding period and tax basis for the award or underlying shares of common stock.

The tax consequences for equity awards outside of the U.S. may differ significantly from the U.S. federal income tax consequences described above.

New Plan Benefits

Grants of awards, if any, under the Equity Incentive Plan are subject to the discretion of our board of directors. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the future benefits that will be received by participants under the Equity Incentive Plan. However, as described in “Scilex’s Executive Compensation — New Scilex Executive Officer Compensation Following the Business Combination” and “Scilex’s Director Compensation — New Scilex Director Compensation Following the Business Combination”, it is anticipated that New Scilex will grant New Scilex options to directors, executive officers, and certain employees of New Scilex as set forth below following the Closing of the Business Combination, subject to, among other things, approval by the New Scilex Board following approval of the Equity Incentive Plan by Vickers’s shareholders, the effectiveness of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 expected to be filed by New Scilex with respect to the Equity Incentive Plan and the continued service of the individuals.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding anticipated future benefits under the Equity Incentive Plan.

Name and Position at New Scilex	Dollar Value ($)(1)			Number of Shares Subject to Anticipated Awards(1)
Henry Ji, Ph.D., Executive Chairperson and Director		$	90,000,000		9,000,000
Jaisim Shah, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director		$	17,000,000		1,700,000
Elizabeth Czerepak, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer		$	3,500,000		350,000
Dmitri Lissin, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer		$	3,500,000		350,000
Suresh Khemani, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer		$	3,500,000		350,000
Suketu Desai, Ph.D., Chief Technical Officer		$	3,500,000		350,000
All current executive officers as a group		$	121,000,000		12,100,000
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group		$	5,000,000		500,000
All employees, including current officers who are not executive officers(2)		$	127,000,000		12,700,000

(1)

The dollar value of New Scilex options set forth in this table is included for illustrative purposes only and is based on an assumed per share value of $10.00. The grants are subject to, among other things, approval by the New Scilex Board following approval of the Equity Incentive Plan by Vickers’s shareholders, the effectiveness of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 expected to be filed by New Scilex with respect to the Equity Incentive Plan and the continued service of the individuals. As such grants are subject to the approval of the New Scilex Board, the actual awards may differ.

(2)

Includes anticipated grants of an aggregate of 600,000 New Scilex options to certain existing employees.

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Interests of Certain Persons in this Proposal

Vickers’s directors and executive officers may be considered to have an interest in the approval of the Equity Incentive Plan because they may in the future receive awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. Nevertheless, the Vickers Board believes that it is important to provide incentives and rewards for superior performance and the retention of executive officers and experienced directors by adopting the Equity Incentive Plan.

Vote Required for Approval

The approval of the Stock Plan Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands, law being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The Stock Plan Proposal is conditioned on the approval of each of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT the Scilex Holding Company 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D, to be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, be and is hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Stock Plan Proposal”). The Stock Plan is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE STOCK PLAN PROPOSAL.

The existence of financial and personal interests of one or more of Vickers’s directors may result in a conflict of interest on the part of such director(s) between what he or she or they may believe is in the best interests of Vickers and its shareholders and what he or she or they may believe is best for himself or herself or themselves in determining to recommend that shareholders vote for the proposals. In addition, Vickers’s officers have interests in the Business Combination that may conflict with your interests as a shareholder. See the section above entitled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Certain Persons in the Business Combination” for a further discussion of these considerations.

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PROPOSAL 8 — THE ESPP PROPOSAL

Overview

The following is a summary description of the ESPP as proposed to be approved by Vickers in connection with the Business Combination. The summary is not a complete statement of the ESPP and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the ESPP, a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex E. Vickers’s shareholders should refer to the ESPP for more complete and detailed information about the terms and conditions of the ESPP. In the event of a conflict between the information in this description and the terms of the ESPP, the ESPP shall control. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this summary description to “we”, “us” and “our” generally refer to Vickers in the present tense or New Scilex from and after the Business Combination.

Background of the ESPP

On , 2022, the Vickers Board approved, subject to the approval by our shareholders, the ESPP. The ESPP will become effective on the date on which the ESPP is approved by our shareholders. If the ESPP is not approved by our shareholders, the ESPP will not become effective. We believe our ability to recruit and retain top talent will be adversely affected if the ESPP is not approved.

Summary of the ESPP

Purpose

The purpose of the ESPP is to secure and retain the services of new employees, to retain the services of existing employees, and to provide incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success and that of our related corporations. The ESPP will include two components. One component is designed to allow eligible U.S. employees to purchase our common stock in a manner that may qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 423 of the Code (the “423 Component”) and accordingly, it will be construed in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. Scilex intends (but make no undertaking or representation to maintain) the 423 Component to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan, as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code. The other component will permit the grant of purchase rights that do not qualify for such favorable tax treatment (the “Non-423 Component”) in order to allow deviations necessary to permit participation by eligible employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the U.S. while complying with applicable foreign laws, and except as otherwise provided in the ESPP or determined by our board of directors, it will operate and be administered in the same manner as the 423 Component.

Share Reserve

Initially, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the ESPP will not exceed shares of our common stock. The number of shares of our common stock that will be reserved for issuance will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of up to ten years, commencing on January 1, 2023 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2032, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year; (ii) shares of our common stock; and (iii) such number of shares of our common stock determined by our board of directors or the compensation committee of our board of directors prior to January 1 of a given year, provided however, that our board of directors may act prior to January 1 of a given calendar year to provide that there will be no increase for such calendar year or the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares than the amount set forth in clauses (i) to (iii) above. For the avoidance of doubt, up to the maximum number of shares of our common stock reserved may be used to satisfy purchases of our common stock under the 423 Component and any remaining portion of such maximum number of shares may be used to satisfy the purchases of our common stock under the Non-423 Component. The closing price of a share of our common stock on , 2022 was $ per share.

If any purchase right granted under the ESPP terminates without having been exercised in full, the shares of our common stock not purchased under such purchase right will again become available for issuance under the ESPP.

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The common stock purchasable under the ESPP will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired common stock, including shares repurchased by us on the open market.

Administration

Our board of directors will administer the ESPP. Our board of directors may delegate some or all of the administration of the ESPP to a committee or committees of our board of directors. All references to our board of directors in this proposal shall include a duly authorized committee of our board of directors except where the context dictates otherwise. Further, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, our board of directors may, from time to time, delegate some or all of its authority under the ESPP to one or more of our officers or other persons or groups of persons as it deems necessary, appropriate or advisable under conditions or limitations that it may set at or after the time of the delegation. Our board of directors will have the authority to determine how and when purchase rights are granted and the provisions of each offering; to designate, from time to time, which of our related corporations will be eligible to participate in the 423 Component or the Non-423 Component, or which related corporations will be eligible to participate in each separate offering; to construe and interpret the ESPP and purchase rights thereunder, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the ESPP’s administration; to settle all controversies regarding the ESPP and purchase rights granted thereunder; to amend, suspend or terminate the ESPP; to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as it deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of us and our related corporations and to carry out the intent of the ESPP to be treated as an employee stock purchase plan with respect to the 423 Component; and to adopt such rules, procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit or facilitate participation in the ESPP by employees who are foreign nationals or employed or located outside the United States.

All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by our board of directors in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

Offerings

Our board of directors may grant or provide for the grant of purchase rights to eligible employees under an offering (consisting of one or more purchase periods) on an offering date or offering dates selected by our board of directors. Each offering will be in the form and will contain those terms and conditions as our board of directors deems appropriate, and, with respect to the 423 Component, will comply with the requirements of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code. The provisions of separate offerings do not need to be identical, but each offering will include the period during which the offering will be effective, which period will not exceed 27 months beginning with the offering date, and the substance of the applicable provisions contained in the ESPP.

If a participant has more than one purchase right outstanding under the ESPP, unless he or she otherwise indicates in forms delivered to us or a third party designee of ours: (i) each form will apply to all of his or her purchase rights under the ESPP, and (ii) a purchase right with a lower exercise price (or an earlier-granted purchase right, if different purchase rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised to the fullest possible extent before a purchase right with a higher exercise price (or a later-granted purchase right if different purchase rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised.

Our board of directors will have the discretion to structure an offering so that if the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first trading day of a new purchase period within that offering is less than or equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first day of that offering, then (i) that offering will terminate immediately as of that first trading day, and (ii) the participants in such terminated offering will be automatically enrolled in a new offering beginning on the first trading day of such new purchase period.

Eligibility

Generally, purchase rights may only be granted to employees, including executive officers, employed by us (or by any of our affiliates or related corporations as designated by our board of directors) on the first day of an offering if such employee has been employed by us or by one of our designated affiliates or related corporations for such continuous period preceding such date (not to exceed two years) as our board of

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directors may require. Our board of directors may (unless prohibited by applicable law) require that employees have to satisfy one or both of the following service requirements with respect to the 423 Component: (i) being customarily employed by us, or any of our related corporations or affiliates, for more than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year; or (ii) such other criteria as our board of directors may determine consistent with Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component. Our board of directors may provide that each person who, during the course of an offering, first becomes an eligible employee will, on the date or dates specified in the offering which coincides with the day on which the person becomes an eligible employee or which occurs thereafter, receive a purchase right under that offering, and the purchase right will thereafter be deemed to be part of the offering with substantially identical characteristics. No employee will be eligible for the grant of any purchase rights under the ESPP if immediately after such rights are granted, such employee owns stock possessing five percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of our outstanding capital stock (or the stock of any related corporation) determined in accordance with the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code. As specified by Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, an eligible employee may be granted purchase rights only if such purchase rights, together with any other rights granted under all employee stock purchase plans of ours or any of our related corporations, do not permit such eligible employee’s rights to purchase our stock or the stock of any of our related corporations to accrue at a rate which, when aggregated, exceeds $25,000 (based on the fair market value per share of such common stock on the date that the purchase right is granted) for each calendar year such purchase rights are outstanding at any time. Our board of directors may also exclude from participation in the ESPP or any offering employees of ours, or of any of our related corporation, who are highly compensated employees, as within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code, or a subset of such highly compensated employees. As of , 2022, there were approximately employees, including executive officers, who would have been eligible to participate in the ESPP (non-employee directors and consultants are not eligible to participate in the ESPP).

Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing paragraph to the contrary, in the case of an offering under the Non-423 Component, an eligible employee (or a group of eligible employees) may be excluded from participation in the ESPP or an offering if our board of directors has determined, in its sole discretion, that participation of such eligible employee is not advisable or practical for any reason.

Purchase Rights; Purchase Price

On the first day of each offering, each eligible employee, pursuant to an offering made under the ESPP, will be granted a purchase right to purchase up to that number of shares of our common stock purchasable either with a percentage or with a maximum dollar amount, as designated by our board of directors, which will not exceed 15% of such employee’s earnings (as defined by our board of directors) during the period that begins on the first day of the offering (or such later date as our board of directors determines for a particular offering) and ends on the date stated in the offering, which date will be no later than the end of the offering. Our board of directors will establish one or more purchase dates during an offering on which purchase rights granted for that offering will be exercised and shares of common stock will be purchased in accordance with such offering. Each eligible employee may purchase of up to shares of our common stock in an offering (or such lesser number of shares determined by our board of directors prior to the start of the offering). Our board of directors may also specify (i) a maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased by any participant on any purchase date during an offering, (ii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased by all participants in an offering and/or (iii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased by all participants on any purchase date under an offering. If the aggregate number of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of purchase rights granted under the offering would exceed any such maximum aggregate number, then, in the absence of any action by our board of directors otherwise, a pro rata allocation of the shares of our common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) available, based on each participant’s accumulated contributions, will be made in as nearly a uniform manner as will be practicable and equitable.

The purchase price of shares of our common stock acquired pursuant to purchase rights will not be less than the lesser of (i) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first day of an offering; or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of purchase.

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Participation; Withdrawal; Termination

An eligible employee may elect to participate in an offering and authorize payroll deductions as the means of making contributions by completing and delivering to us or our designee, within the time specified in the offering, an enrollment form provided by us or our designee. The enrollment form will specify the amount of contributions not to exceed the maximum amount specified by our board of directors. Each participant’s contributions will be credited to a bookkeeping account for the participant under the ESPP and will be deposited with our general funds except where applicable law requires that contributions be deposited with a third party. If permitted in the offering, a participant may begin such contributions with the first payroll occurring on or after the first day of the applicable offering (or, in the case of a payroll date that occurs after the end of the prior offering but before the first day of the next new offering, contributions from such payroll will be included in the new offering). If permitted in the offering, a participant may thereafter reduce (including to zero) or increase his or her contributions. If required under applicable law or if specifically provided in the offering, in addition to or instead of making contributions by payroll deductions, a participant may make contributions through payment by cash, check or wire transfer prior to a purchase date.

During an offering, a participant may cease making contributions and withdraw from the offering by delivering to us or our designee a withdrawal form provided by us. We may impose a deadline before a purchase date for withdrawing. Upon such withdrawal, such participant’s purchase right in that offering will immediately terminate and we will distribute as soon as practicable to such participant all of his or her accumulated but unused contributions and such participant’s purchase right in that offering shall then terminate. A participant’s withdrawal from that offering will have no effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any other offerings under the ESPP, but such participant will be required to deliver a new enrollment form to participate in subsequent offerings.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, purchase rights granted pursuant to any offering under the ESPP will terminate immediately if the participant either (i) is no longer an employee for any reason or for no reason (subject to any post-employment participation period required by applicable law) or (ii) is otherwise no longer eligible to participate. We will distribute the individual’s accumulated but unused contributions as soon as practicable to such individual.

Unless otherwise determined by our board of directors, a participant whose employment transfers or whose employment terminates with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by or between us and one of our designated companies designated to participate in an offering (or between such designated companies) will not be treated as having terminated employment for purposes of participating in the ESPP or an offering. However, if a participant transfers from an offering under the 423 Component to an offering under the Non-423 Component, the exercise of the participant’s purchase right will be qualified under the 423 Component only to the extent such exercise complies with Section 423 of the Code. If a participant transfers from an offering under the Non-423 Component to an Offering under the 423 Component, the exercise of the purchase right will remain non-qualified under the Non-423 Component. Our board of directors may establish different and additional rules governing transfers between separate offerings within the 423 Component and between offerings under the 423 Component and offerings under the Non-423 Component. Unless otherwise specified in the offering or as required by applicable law, we will have no obligation to pay interest on contributions.

Purchase of Shares

On each purchase date, each participant’s accumulated contributions will be applied to the purchase of shares of our common stock, up to the maximum number of shares of our common stock permitted by the ESPP and the applicable offering, at the purchase price specified in the offering. Unless otherwise provided in the offering, if any amount of accumulated contributions remains in a participant’s account after the purchase of shares on the final purchase date of an offering, then such remaining amount will not roll over to the next offering and will instead be distributed in full to such participant after the final purchase date of such offering without interest (unless otherwise required by applicable law). No purchase rights may be exercised to any extent unless the shares of our common stock to be issued upon such exercise under the ESPP are covered by an effective registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act and the ESPP is in material compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state, foreign and other securities, exchange control and other laws applicable to the ESPP. If on a purchase date the shares of our common stock are not so

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registered or the ESPP is not in such compliance, no purchase rights will be exercised on such purchase date, and the purchase date will be delayed until the shares of our common stock are subject to such an effective registration statement and the ESPP is in material compliance, except that the purchase date will in no event be more than 27 months from the first day of an offering. If, on the purchase date, as delayed to the maximum extent permissible, the shares of our common stock are not registered and the ESPP is not in material compliance with all applicable laws, as determined by us in our sole discretion, no purchase rights will be exercised and all accumulated but unused contributions will be distributed to the ESPP participants without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by applicable law).

A participant will not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, shares of our common stock subject to purchase rights unless and until the participant’s shares of our common stock acquired upon exercise of purchase rights are recorded in our books (or the books of our transfer agent).

Changes to Capital Structure

The ESPP provides that in the event of a change in our capital structure through actions such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or similar transaction, our board of directors will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the ESPP; (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each year; (iii) the class(es) and number of shares subject to, and purchase price applicable to, outstanding offerings and purchase rights; and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities that are subject to purchase limits under each ongoing offering. Our board of directors will make these adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

Corporate Transactions

The ESPP provides that in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined below), any then-outstanding rights to purchase our common stock under the ESPP may be assumed, continued, or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) elects not to assume, continue, or substitute for such purchase rights, then (i) the participants’ accumulated payroll contributions will be used to purchase shares of our common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) within ten business days (or such other period specified by our board of directors) before such corporate transaction under the outstanding purchase rights, and such purchase rights will terminate immediately after such purchase, or (ii) our board of directors, in its discretion, may terminate outstanding offerings, cancel the outstanding purchase rights and refund the participants’ accumulated contributions.

Under the ESPP, a “corporate transaction” is generally the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of: (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by our board of directors, of the consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries; (ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 50% of our outstanding securities; (iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are not the surviving corporation; or (iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which we are the surviving corporation but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.

Transferability

During a participant’s lifetime, purchase rights will be exercisable only by a participant. Purchase rights are not transferable by a participant, except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or, if permitted by us, by a beneficiary designation.

Tax Withholding

Each participant must make arrangements, satisfactory to us and any applicable related corporation, to enable us or our related corporation to fulfill any withholding obligation for taxes arising out of or in relation

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to a participant’s participation in the ESPP. In our sole discretion and subject to applicable law, such withholding obligation may be satisfied in whole or in part by (i) withholding from the participant’s salary or any other cash payment due to the participant from us or any related corporation; (ii) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of shares of our common stock acquired under the ESPP, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by us; or (iii) any other method deemed acceptable by our board of directors. We will not be required to issue any shares of our common stock under the ESPP until such obligations are satisfied.

Amendment, Suspension or Termination

Our board of directors will have the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the ESPP. Any benefits, privileges, entitlements and obligations under any outstanding purchase right granted before an amendment, suspension or termination of the ESPP will not be materially impaired by any such amendment, suspension or termination except (i) with the consent of the person to whom such purchase rights were granted, (ii) as necessary to facilitate compliance with any laws, listing requirements, or governmental regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 423 of the Code), or (iii) as necessary to obtain or maintain favorable tax, listing, or regulatory treatment. Except with respect to certain changes in our capital structure, stockholder approval is required for any amendment to the ESPP if such approval is required by applicable law or listing requirements. No purchase rights may be granted under the ESPP while it is suspended or after it is terminated.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Aspects of the ESPP

The following is a general summary under current law of the material federal income tax consequences to participants in the ESPP under U.S. law. This summary deals with the general tax principles that apply and is provided only for general information. Certain types of taxes, such as state and local income taxes, are not discussed. Tax laws are complex and subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances and from locality to locality. The summary does not discuss all aspects of income taxation that may be relevant to a participant in light of his or her personal investment circumstances. This summarized tax information is not tax advice.

The ESPP is intended to be an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. The ESPP also authorizes the grant of rights to purchase shares that do not qualify under Section 423 pursuant to the non-423 component.

423 Component Offerings

Under an employee stock purchase plan that qualifies under Section 423 of the Code, no taxable income will be recognized by a participant, and no deductions will be allowable to us, upon either the grant or the exercise of the purchase rights. Taxable income will not be recognized until there is a sale or other disposition of the shares acquired under the ESPP or in the event that the participant should die while still owning the purchased shares.

If the participant sells or otherwise disposes of the purchased shares (a) within two years after the start date of the offering in which the shares were acquired or (b) within one year after the purchase of the shares, then the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares, and we will be entitled to an income tax deduction (subject to applicable limits under the Code), for the taxable year in which such disposition occurs equal in amount to such excess. The amount of this ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any resulting gain or loss recognized upon the sale or disposition will be a capital gain or loss. If the shares have been held for more than one year since the date of purchase, the gain or loss will be long-term.

If the participant sells or disposes of the purchased shares more than two years after the start date of the offering in which the shares were acquired and more than one year after the purchase of the shares, then the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the lesser of (a) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the sale or disposition date exceeded the purchase price paid for the shares, or (b) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the start date of

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that offering. Any additional gain upon the disposition will be taxed as a long-term capital gain. Alternatively, if the fair market value of the shares on the date of the sale or disposition is less than the purchase price, there will be no ordinary income and any loss recognized will be a long-term capital loss. We will not be entitled to an income tax deduction with respect to such disposition.

Non-423 Component Offerings

If a purchase right is granted under the Non-423 component of the ESPP to a participant who is subject to U.S. federal income tax, the amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date and the purchase price is taxed as ordinary income at the time of such purchase and such income is subject to tax withholding. The amount of such ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or resulting loss recognized on the disposition of the shares after such basis adjustment will be a capital gain or loss. A capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant holds the shares for more than one year after the purchase date. We may be entitled to a deduction in the year of purchase equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by the participant.

The tax consequences for shares purchased pursuant to the ESPP by participants who are not subject to U.S. tax law may differ significantly from the U.S. federal income tax consequences described above.

New Plan Benefits

Participation in the ESPP is voluntary and dependent on each eligible employee’s election to participate and the level of his or her payroll deductions. In addition, the number of shares that may be purchased under the ESPP is determined, in part, by the price of our common stock on the first day of each offering or the purchase date. Accordingly, the actual number of shares that may be purchased by any eligible individual in the future is not determinable.

Interests of Certain Persons in this Proposal

Our executive officers may be considered to have an interest in the approval of the ESPP because they may be eligible to participate in the ESPP. Nevertheless, our board of directors believes that it is important to provide incentives and rewards for superior performance and the retention of employees by adopting the ESPP.

Vote Required for Approval

The approval of the ESPP Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The ESPP Proposal is conditioned on the approval of each of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT the Scilex Holding Company 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E, to be effective upon consummation of the Business Combination, be and is hereby approved and adopted (the “ESPP Proposal”). The ESPP Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ESPP PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSAL 9 — THE NASDAQ PROPOSAL

Overview

For purposes of complying with Rule 5635(a) and (b) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, Vickers’s shareholders are being asked to approve and adopt the issuance of up to 150,000,000 shares of New Scilex Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination.

Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a), shareholder approval is required prior to the issuance of securities in connection with the acquisition of another company if such securities are not issued in a public offering and (A) have, or will have upon issuance, voting power equal to or in excess of 20% of the voting power outstanding before the issuance of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock); or (B) the number of shares of common stock to be issued is or will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding before the issuance of the stock or securities.

Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(b), shareholder approval is required prior to the issuance of securities when the issuance or potential issuance will result in a “change of control” of the issuer. Although Nasdaq has not adopted any rule on what constitutes a “change of control” for purposes of Rule 5635(b), Nasdaq has previously indicated that the acquisition of, or right to acquire, by a single investor or affiliated investor group, as little as 20% of the common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) or voting power of an issuer could constitute a change of control.

Upon the consummation of the Business Combination and the Domestication, Vickers expects to issue up to an estimated 150,000,000 shares of New Scilex Common Stock. See the section entitled “Proposal 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — The Merger Agreement — Merger Consideration.” Because the number of New Scilex Common Stock that Vickers anticipates issuing as consideration in the Business Combination (1) will constitute more than 20% of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares and more than 20% of outstanding voting power prior to such issuance and (2) will result in a change of control of Vickers, Vickers is required to obtain shareholder approval of such issuance pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rules 5635(a) and (b) Effect of Proposal on Current Stockholders

If the Nasdaq Proposal is approved, Vickers will issue up to 150,000,000 shares of New Scilex Common Stock upon consummation of the Business Combination and the Domestication.

The issuance of such shares would result in significant dilution to the Vickers shareholders and result in Vickers’s shareholders having a smaller percentage interest in the voting power, liquidation value and aggregate book value of Vickers.

Vote Required for Approval

Approval of the Nasdaq Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The Nasdaq Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT, for purposes of complying with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a) and (b), the issuance of more than 20% of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares and the resulting change in control in connection with the Business Combination, be and is hereby approved and adopted (such proposal, the “Nasdaq Proposal”). The Nasdaq Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the other Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE NASDAQ PROPOSAL.

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PROPOSAL 10 — THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

The Adjournment Proposal, if approved, will allow the Chairman of the Meeting to adjourn the Meeting to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to our shareholders in the event, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes received at the time of the Meeting to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal or the Nasdaq Proposal, or if the Vickers Board determines that one or more of the closing conditions under the Merger Agreement is not satisfied or waived, including the requirement that Vickers have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets immediately after the Effective Time. In no event will the Vickers Board postpone the Meeting or consummate the Business Combination beyond the date by which it may properly do so under the Current Charter and Cayman Islands law.

Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved

If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by our shareholders, the chairman will not adjourn the Meeting to a later date in the event, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes received at the time of the Meeting to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal or the Nasdaq Proposal, or if the Vickers Board determines that one or more of the closing conditions under the Merger Agreement is not satisfied or waived, including the requirement that Vickers have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets immediately after the Effective Time. If Vickers does not consummate the Business Combination and fails to complete an initial business combination by January 11, 2023, Vickers will be required to dissolve and liquidate the Trust Account by returning the then remaining funds in such account to the public shareholders.

Vote Required for Approval

The approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the majority of the Vickers Ordinary Shares present in person, including by virtual attendance, or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Adoption of the Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned upon the adoption of any of the other Proposals.

Resolution to be Voted Upon

The full text of the resolution to be passed is as follows:

“RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT the adjournment of the Meeting by the chairman thereof to a later date, if necessary, under certain circumstances, including for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies in favor of the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Charter Approval Proposal, the Bylaws Approval Proposal, the Advisory Governance Proposals, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Nasdaq Proposal (together the “Condition Precedent Proposals”), in the event Vickers does not receive the requisite shareholder vote to approve the foregoing proposals, be and is hereby approved (such proposal, the “Adjournment Proposal”). The Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned on the approval of any of the Condition Precedent Proposals.”

Recommendation of the Vickers Board

THE VICKERS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VICKERS’S SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences (i) of the Domestication to U.S. Holders (defined below) of Vickers Ordinary Shares and Warrants (the “Vickers securities”), (ii) following the Domestication and Business Combination, of the ownership and disposition of New Scilex Common Stock, and (iii) of the exercise of redemption rights prior to the Domestication by U.S. Holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares.

This discussion is based on provisions of the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (whether final, temporary, or proposed), administrative rulings of the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may apply to a holder as a result of the Business Combination or Domestication, or as a result of the ownership and disposition of New Scilex Common Stock. In addition, this discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular holders nor does it take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such holder, and accordingly, is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, tax advice. This discussion does not address the U.S. federal 3.8% Medicare tax imposed on certain net investment income or any aspects of U.S. federal taxation other than those pertaining to the income tax (such as the gift or estate tax), nor does it address any tax consequences arising under any U.S. state and local, or non-U.S. tax laws. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding such tax consequences in light of their particular circumstances.

No ruling has been requested or will be obtained from the IRS regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Business Combination or Domestication or any other related matter; thus, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the U.S. federal income tax treatment described below or that, if challenged, such treatment will be sustained by a court.

This summary is limited to considerations relevant to holders that hold Vickers securities or will hold Domesticated Vickers securities as “capital assets” within the meaning of section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to holders in light of their individual circumstances, including holders subject to special treatment under the U.S. tax laws, such as, for example:

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banks or other financial institutions, underwriters, or insurance companies;

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traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting;

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real estate investment trusts and regulated investment companies;

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tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts;

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expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;

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subchapter S corporations, partnerships or other pass-through entities or investors in such entities;

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dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies;

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grantor trusts;

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persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

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U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;

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persons who received Vickers Ordinary Shares or will receive New Scilex Common Stock through the issuance of restricted stock under an equity incentive plan or through a tax-qualified retirement plan or otherwise as compensation;

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persons who own (directly or through attribution) 5% or more (by vote or value) of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares or, after the Business Combination, New Scilex Common Stock;

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holders holding Vickers securities or, after the Business Combination, Domesticated Vickers securities as a position in a “straddle,” as part of a “synthetic security” or “hedge,” as part of a “conversion transaction,” or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction;

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•

controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, or foreign corporations with respect to which there are one or more United States shareholders within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-3(b)(1)(ii); or

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the Sponsors or their affiliates.

As used in this proxy statement/prospectus, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Vickers securities and, after the Business Combination, Domesticated Vickers securities that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

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a corporation (or other entity that is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

•

a trust (i) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Vickers securities or, after the Business Combination, Domesticated Vickers securities, that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds Vickers securities or, after the Business Combination, Domesticated Vickers securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Business Combination, the Domestication, the ownership and disposition of Domesticated Vickers securities, and the exercise of redemption rights.

THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OR DESCRIPTION OF ALL POTENTIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION, THE DOMESTICATION, THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF DOMESTICATED VICKERS SECURITIES, OR THE EXERCISE OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF VICKERS SECURITIES AND DOMESTICATED VICKERS SECURITIES MAY BE AFFECTED BY MATTERS NOT DISCUSSED HEREIN AND DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. HOLDERS OF VICKERS SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION, THE DOMESTICATION, THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF DOMESTICATED VICKERS SECURITIES, AND THE EXERCISE OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECTS OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

U.S. Holders

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities

The following discussion, — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities,” constitutes the opinion of Loeb & Loeb LLP, counsel to Vickers, as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers’s securities, subject to the limitations, exceptions, beliefs, assumptions, and qualifications described in such opinion and otherwise herein.

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If the Domestication Qualifies as a Reorganization

General U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders will depend primarily on whether the Domestication qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. The Domestication should qualify as a reorganization. However, the provisions of the Code that govern reorganizations are complex, and due to the absence of direct guidance on the application of Section 368 to a merger of a corporation holding only investment-type assets such as Vickers, the qualification of the Domestication as a reorganization is not entirely clear. U.S. Holders should be aware that Vickers has not requested and does not intend to request a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Domestication. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a contrary position to views expressed herein or that a court will not agree with a contrary position of the IRS.

If the Domestication qualifies as a reorganization and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below under the heading “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Status,” and the discussion below regarding the effect of Section 367 of the Code, a U.S. Holder that exchanges its Vickers securities pursuant to the Domestication should not recognize gain or loss on the exchange of Vickers securities for Domesticated Vickers securities. The aggregate adjusted tax basis of a U.S. Holder in the New Scilex Common Stock received as a result of the Domestication should equal the aggregate adjusted tax basis of the Vickers Ordinary Shares surrendered in the exchange, and the aggregate adjusted tax basis in the New Scilex Warrants received as a result of such exchange should equal the aggregate adjusted tax basis of the Warrants surrendered in the exchange, in each case increased by any amount included in the income of such U.S. Holder under Section 367(b) of the Code (as discussed below). A U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Domesticated Vickers securities received in the exchange should include the holding period for the Vickers securities surrendered in the exchange.

Effect of Section 367 of the Code on U.S. Holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares

Section 367 of the Code applies to certain non-recognition transactions involving foreign corporations, including a domestication of a foreign corporation in a transaction that qualifies as a reorganization. When it applies, Section 367 imposes U.S. federal income tax on certain United States persons in connection with transactions that would otherwise be tax-free. Section 367(b) generally will apply to U.S. Holders that exchange Vickers Ordinary Shares (but not the Warrants) for New Scilex Common Stock as part of the Domestication.

A. U.S. Holders Who Own 10 Percent or More of the Voting Power or Value of Vickers

A U.S. Holder that on the day of the Domestication beneficially owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) (i) ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Vickers Ordinary Shares entitled to vote or (ii) ten percent (10%) or more of the total value of all classes of Vickers Ordinary Shares (a “U.S. Shareholder”) must include in income as a dividend the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to the Vickers Ordinary Shares it directly owns, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-2(d). Complex attribution rules apply in determining whether a U.S. Holder owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Vickers securities entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of Vickers securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these attribution rules.

A U.S. Shareholder’s all earnings and profits amount with respect to its Vickers Ordinary Shares is the net positive earnings and profits of the corporation (as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-2(d)(2)) attributable to the Vickers Ordinary Shares (as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-2(d)(3)) but without regard to any gain that would be realized on a sale or exchange of such Vickers Ordinary Shares.

Accordingly, under Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-3(b)(3), a U.S. Shareholder will be required to include in income as a deemed dividend the all earnings and profits amount (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(b)-2(d)) with respect to its Vickers Ordinary Shares as a result of the Domestication. Any such U.S. Shareholder that is a corporation may, under certain circumstances, effectively be exempt from taxation on a portion or all of the deemed dividend pursuant to Section 245A of the Code. See

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“— Passive Foreign Investment Company Status” for a discussion of whether the amount of inclusion under Section 367(b) of the Code should be reduced by amounts required to be taken into account by a Non-Electing Shareholder under the proposed Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code.

B. U.S. Holders Who Own Less Than 10 Percent of the Voting Power and Value of Vickers

A U.S. Holder that on the day of the Domestication beneficially owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) Vickers Ordinary Shares with a fair market value of $50,000 or more but less than (i) ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of Vickers Ordinary Shares entitled to vote and (ii) ten percent (10%) of the total value of all classes of Vickers Ordinary Shares must either recognize gain with respect to the Domestication or, in the alternative, elect to recognize the “all earnings and profits” amount, in each case as described below.

Unless a U.S. Holder makes the “all earnings and profits election” as described below, such holder generally must recognize gain (but not loss) with respect to New Scilex Common Stock received in exchange for its Vickers Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Domestication. Any such gain would be equal to the excess of the fair market value of such New Scilex Common Stock received over the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Vickers Ordinary Shares surrendered in exchange therefor. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, such gain would be capital gain, and should be long-term capital gain if the U.S. Holder held the Vickers Ordinary Shares for longer than one year.

In lieu of recognizing any gain as described in the preceding paragraph, a U.S. Holder may elect to include in income the all earnings and profits amount attributable to its Vickers Ordinary Shares under Section 367(b). There are, however, strict conditions for making this election, as enumerated in the Treasury Regulations.

U.S. Holders are strongly urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding whether to make this election and if the election is determined to be advisable, the appropriate filing requirements with respect to this election. See “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Status” for a discussion of whether the amount of inclusion under Section 367(b) of the Code should be reduced by amounts required to be taken into account by a Non-Electing Shareholder under the proposed Treasury regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code.

A U.S. Holder (who is not a U.S. Shareholder) that beneficially owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) Vickers Ordinary Shares with a fair market value of less than $50,000 would not be required to recognize any gain or loss or include any part of the all earnings and profits amount in income under Section 367(b) of the Code in connection with the Domestication.

If the Domestication Does Not Qualify as a Reorganization

If the Domestication fails to qualify as a reorganization, and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below under the heading “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Status,” a U.S. Holder that exchanges its Vickers securities for Domesticated Vickers securities in the Domestication will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value of the Domesticated Vickers securities received and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Vickers securities exchanged therefor. A U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis in the Domesticated Vickers securities received will be the fair market value of the Domesticated Vickers securities on the date of the Domestication. The U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Domesticated Vickers securities received pursuant to the Domestication will begin on the day after the date of the Domestication.

Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Vickers securities exceeds one year at the time of the Domestication. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, currently are subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code. Any such gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder will generally be treated as U.S. source gain or loss.

U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular consequences to them of the exchange of Vickers securities for Domesticated Vickers securities pursuant to the Domestication, the qualification of the Domestication as a reorganization, and the application of Section 367(b) to the Domestication.

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Passive Foreign Investment Company Status

Even if the Domestication qualifies as a reorganization, the Domestication may be a taxable event to U.S. Holders of Vickers securities under the PFIC provisions of the Code, to the extent that Section 1291(f) of the Code applies. Because Vickers is a blank check company with no current active operating business, based upon the composition of its income and assets, and upon a review of its financial statements, Vickers believes that it likely was a PFIC for its most recent taxable year ended on December 31, 2021, and will likely be considered a PFIC for its current taxable year which ends as a result of the Domestication.

Definition and General Taxation of a PFIC

A non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year (a) if at least 75% of its gross income consists of passive income, such as dividends, interest, rents and royalties (except for rents and royalties earned in the active conduct of a trade or business), and gains on the disposition of property that produces such income, or (b) if at least 50% of the fair market value of its assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income (including for these purposes its pro rata share of the gross income and assets of any corporation (and, if certain proposed Treasury Regulations are applied, partnerships) in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the interest, by value). The determination of whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC is made annually.

If Vickers is determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of Vickers securities and, in the case of Vickers Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either (a) a timely qualified election fund (“QEF”) election under Section 1295 of the Code for Vickers’s first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Vickers Ordinary Shares or (b) a QEF election along with a “purging election,” both of which are discussed further below, such holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to:

•

any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its Vickers securities (including a redemption treated as a sale or exchange); and

•

any “excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the Vickers Ordinary Shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Vickers Ordinary Shares).

Under these rules,

•

the U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Vickers securities;

•

the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of Vickers’s first taxable year in which it qualified as a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income;

•

the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and

•

the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder.

In general, if Vickers is determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above with respect to its Vickers Ordinary Shares by making a timely QEF election (or a QEF election along with a purging election), as described below. Pursuant to the QEF election, a U.S. Holder will be required to include in income its pro rata share of Vickers’s net capital gain (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which Vickers’s taxable year ends.

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Impact of PFIC Rules on Certain U.S. Holders

The impact of the PFIC rules on a U.S. Holder of Vickers securities will depend on whether the U.S. Holder has made a timely and effective election to treat Vickers as a QEF, for Vickers’s first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Vickers Ordinary Shares, or if the U.S. Holder made an effective QEF election along with a “purging election,” as discussed below. A U.S. Holder’s ability to make an effective QEF election with respect to Vickers is contingent upon, among other things, the provision by Vickers of certain information that would enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election. A U.S. Holder that made a timely and effective QEF election for Vickers’s first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Vickers Ordinary Shares, or that made a QEF election along with a purging election, as discussed below, is hereinafter referred to as an “Electing Shareholder.” A U.S. Holder that did not make a timely and effective QEF election for Vickers’s first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Vickers Ordinary Shares, or that did not make a QEF election along with a purging election, is hereinafter referred to as a “Non-Electing Shareholder.”

As indicated above, if a U.S. Holder of Vickers Ordinary Shares has not made a timely and effective QEF election with respect to Vickers’s first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Vickers Ordinary Shares, such U.S. Holder generally may nonetheless qualify as an Electing Shareholder by filing on a timely filed U.S. income tax return (including extensions) a QEF election and a purging election to recognize under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code any gain that it would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder sold its Vickers Ordinary Shares for their fair market value on the “qualification date.” The qualification date is the first day of Vickers’s tax year in which Vickers qualifies as a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder. The purging election can only be made if such U.S. Holder held Vickers Ordinary Shares on the qualification date. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S. Holder will increase the adjusted tax basis in its Vickers Ordinary Shares by the amount of the gain recognized and will also have a new holding period in the Vickers Ordinary Shares for purposes of the PFIC rules.

A U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its Warrants. As a result, if a U.S. Holder of Warrants sells or otherwise disposes of such warrants, any gain recognized will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above, if Vickers were a PFIC at any time during the period the U.S. Holder held the Warrants.

U.S. Holders that hold (or are deemed to hold) stock of a foreign corporation that qualifies as a PFIC may elect to annually mark such stock to its market value if such stock is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the SEC or certain foreign exchanges or markets of which the IRS has approved (a “mark-to-market election”). Nasdaq currently is considered to be an exchange that would allow a U.S. Holder to make a mark-to-market election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election with respect to their Vickers Ordinary Shares under their particular circumstances.

Effect of PFIC Rules on the Domestication

Even if the Domestication qualifies as a reorganization, Section 1291(f) of the Code requires that, to the extent provided in regulations, a U.S. person that disposes of stock of a PFIC (including warrants and rights to acquire stock of a PFIC) must recognize gain notwithstanding any other provision of the Code. No final Treasury Regulations are in effect under Section 1291(f). Proposed Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) (the “Proposed Regulations”) were promulgated in 1992, with a retroactive effective date once they become finalized. If finalized in their present form, the Proposed Regulations would require taxable gain recognition by a Non-Electing Shareholder with respect to its exchange of Vickers securities for Domesticated Vickers securities in the Domestication if Vickers were classified as a PFIC at any time during such U.S. Holder’s holding period in Vickers securities. Any such gain would be treated as an “excess distribution” made in the year of the Domestication and subject to the special tax and interest charge rules discussed above under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Status — Definition and General Taxation of a PFIC.” In addition, the Proposed Regulations would provide coordinating rules with Section 367(b) of the Code, whereby, if the gain recognition rule of the Proposed Regulations applied to a disposition of PFIC stock that results from a transfer with respect to which Section 367(b) requires the shareholder to recognize

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gain or include an amount in income as a distribution under Section 301 of the Code, the gain realized on the transfer is taxable as an excess distribution under Section 1291 of the Code, and the excess, if any, of the amount to be included in income under Section 367(b) over the gain realized under Section 1291 is taxable as provided under Section 367(b). See “— U.S. Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities — If the Domestication Qualifies as a Reorganization — Effect of Section 367 of the Code on U.S. Holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares.” The Proposed Regulations should not apply to an Electing Shareholder with respect to its Vickers Ordinary Shares for which a timely QEF election, a QEF election along with a purging election, or mark-to-market election is made. An Electing Shareholder may, however, be subject to the rules discussed below under the section entitled “— U.S. Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Domestication to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities — If the Domestication Qualifies as a Reorganization — Effect of Section 367 of the Code on U.S. Holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares.”

The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF election and purging election (or a mark-to-market election) are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, a U.S. Holder of Vickers securities should consult its own tax advisor concerning the application of the PFIC rules to such securities under such holder’s particular circumstances.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of Ownership and Disposition of New Scilex Common Stock

The following discussion is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of New Scilex Common Stock to U.S. Holders who receive such New Scilex Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination.

Distributions on New Scilex Common Stock

The gross amount of any distribution on New Scilex Common Stock that is made out of New Scilex’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will generally be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary dividend income on the date such distribution is actually or constructively received by such U.S. Holder. Any such dividends paid to corporate U.S. Holders generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. Subject to applicable requirements and limitations, dividends paid to a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally will constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the preferential tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains.

Non-corporate U.S. Holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code (dealing with the deduction for investment interest expense) will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation applicable to qualified dividends. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met.

To the extent that the amount of any distribution made by New Scilex on the New Scilex Common Stock exceeds New Scilex’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction (but not below zero) in the adjusted basis of the U.S. Holder’s New Scilex Common Stock, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds the U.S. Holder’s tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange as described below under “— Sale, Exchange, or Other Taxable Disposition of New Scilex Common Stock.”

Sale, Exchange, or Other Taxable Disposition of New Scilex Common Stock

A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss on any sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of New Scilex Common Stock, including on a redemption that is treated as a sale or exchange under Section 302 of the Code, in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such New Scilex Common Stock. Any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a taxable disposition of New Scilex Common Stock will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder’s holding period in the New Scilex Common Stock

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exceeds one year at the time of the disposition. Preferential tax rates may apply to long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or exchange of New Scilex Common Stock will generally be treated as U.S. source gain or loss.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of Vickers Securities of Exercising Redemption Rights

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above under the heading “— U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Status,” in the event that a U.S. Holder elects to redeem its Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash prior to the Domestication, the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange of the Vickers Ordinary Shares under Section 302 of the Code or is treated as a corporate distribution under Section 301 of the Code with respect to the U.S. Holder. If the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange of the Vickers Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as recognizing capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the redemption and such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Vickers Ordinary Shares surrendered in such redemption transaction. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Vickers Ordinary Shares redeemed exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether the redemption rights with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. Long term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder is currently taxed at a reduced rate. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above under the heading “— U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Status,” if the redemption does not qualify as a sale or exchange of Vickers Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution. Such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from Vickers’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Vickers Ordinary Shares. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the Vickers Ordinary Shares. Dividends paid to a U.S. Holder that is a taxable corporation generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations) and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends paid to a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally will constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the preferential tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains if the Vickers Ordinary Shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and we are not a PFIC for the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or in the previous year. However, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares may prevent a U.S. Holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income.

Whether a redemption qualifies for sale or exchange treatment will depend largely on the total number of Vickers Ordinary Shares treated as held by the U.S. Holder (including any Vickers Ordinary Shares constructively owned by the U.S. Holder, as discussed below) relative to all of the shares of Vickers Ordinary Shares outstanding both before and after the redemption. The redemption of Vickers Ordinary Shares generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the Vickers Ordinary Shares (rather than as a corporate distribution) if the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in Vickers or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder. These tests are explained more fully below.

In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder takes into account not only the Vickers Ordinary Shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder, but also shares of Vickers Ordinary Shares that are constructively owned by it. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition to stock owned directly, stock owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. Holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. Holder, as well as any stock the U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise

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of an option, which would generally include Vickers Ordinary Shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, (i) the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption of Vickers Ordinary Shares must be less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption, (ii) the U.S. Holder’s percentage ownership (including constructive ownership) of our outstanding stock (both voting and nonvoting) immediately after the redemption must be less than 80% of such percentage ownership (including constructive ownership) immediately before the redemption; and (iii) the U.S. Holder must own (including constructive ownership), immediately after the redemption, less than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of the shares of the Vickers Ordinary Shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of the shares of the Vickers Ordinary Shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed and the U.S. Holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of stock owned by certain family members and the U.S. Holder does not constructively own any other Vickers Ordinary Shares. The redemption of the Vickers Ordinary Shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if a U.S. Holder’s redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in Vickers. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in Vickers will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. Holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.

If none of the foregoing tests is satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution. After the application of those rules regarding corporate distributions, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the redeemed Vickers Ordinary Shares will be added to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining Vickers Ordinary Shares, or if it has none, to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Warrants or possibly in other Vickers Ordinary Shares constructively owned by it. Shareholders who hold different blocks of Vickers Ordinary Shares (generally, shares of Vickers purchased or acquired on different dates or at different prices) should consult their tax advisors to determine how the above rules apply to them.

All U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences to them of a redemption of all or a portion of their Vickers Ordinary Shares pursuant to an exercise of redemption rights.

Non-U.S. Holders

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of Ownership and Disposition of New Scilex Common Stock

The following discussion is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of New Scilex Common Stock to Non-U.S. Holders who receive such New Scilex Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination

Distributions on New Scilex Common Stock

Distributions of cash or property to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect of New Scilex Common Stock will generally constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from New Scilex’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If a distribution exceeds New Scilex’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will generally be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the New Scilex Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “— Sale, Exchange, or Other Taxable Disposition of New Scilex Common Stock.”

Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of New Scilex Common Stock generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate, unless such Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate as described below. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if required by an

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applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base of the Non-U.S. Holder) are not subject to such withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied (generally by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). Instead, such dividends are subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

A Non-U.S. Holder of New Scilex Common Stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for dividends will be required (a) to complete the applicable IRS Form W-8 and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if the shares of New Scilex Common Stock are held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable United States Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.

A Non-U.S. Holder of New Scilex Common Stock eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to the benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

Sale, Exchange, or Other Taxable Disposition of New Scilex Common Stock

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding and FATCA below, any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the taxable disposition of New Scilex Common Stock, including on a redemption that is treated as a sale or exchange under Section 302 of the Code, generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

•

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment or fixed base of the Non-U.S. Holder);

•

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

•

we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for such New Scilex Common Stock, and either (A) shares of New Scilex Common Stock are not considered to be regularly traded on an established securities market or (B) such Non-U.S. Holder has owned or is deemed to have owned, at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding such disposition and such Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period more than 5% of the outstanding shares of New Scilex Common Stock. There can be no assurance that shares of New Scilex Common Stock will be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose.

A non-corporate Non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. An individual Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by certain United States source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States, provided that the individual has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. If a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation falls under the first bullet point immediately above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were a United States person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to adjustments.

If the last bullet point immediately above applies to a Non-U.S. Holder, gain recognized by such Non-U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of New Scilex Common Stock generally will be

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subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a buyer may be required to withhold U.S. income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. We believe that we are not and have not been at any time since our formation a U.S. real property holding corporation and we do not expect to be a U.S. real property holding corporation immediately after the Business Combination is completed. However, such determination is factual in nature and subject to change, and no assurance can be provided as to whether we are or will be a U.S. real property holding corporation with respect to a Non-U.S. Holder following the Business Combination or at any future time.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We generally must report annually to the IRS and to each holder the amount of cash dividends and certain other distributions we pay to such holder on such holder’s New Scilex Common Stock and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those distributions. In the case of a Non-U.S. Holder, copies of the information returns reporting those distributions and withholding also may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder is a resident under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or agreement. Information reporting is also generally required with respect to proceeds from the sales and other dispositions of Domesticated Vickers securities or through the U.S. office (and in certain cases, the foreign office) of a broker. In addition, certain information concerning a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its New Scilex Common Stock and adjustments to that tax basis and whether any gain or loss with respect to such securities is long-term or short-term also may be required to be reported to the IRS.

Moreover, backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 24% generally will apply to cash distributions made on New Scilex Common Stock, and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of Domesticated Vickers securities by, a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) who:

•

fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;

•

is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or

•

in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.

A Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting (other than with respect to distributions, as described above) and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s or a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedures for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Under sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder (commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” or “FATCA”) a 30% withholding tax generally applies with respect to certain dividends in respect of and, subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations described below, gross proceeds from a sale or disposition of, securities which are held by or through certain foreign financial institution (including investment funds), unless any such institution (a) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments, or (b) if required under an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, reports such information to its local tax authority, which will exchange such information with the U.S. authorities. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which Vickers securities are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required.

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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF VICKERS

The following selected statements of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from February 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from Vickers’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period. You should read the selected financial data presented below in conjunction with the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Vickers” and Vickers’s audited financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Statements of Operations Data:	For the Year Ended December 31, 2021			For the Period from February 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020			For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Statements of Operations Data:	For the Year Ended December 31, 2021						2022			2021
Operating and Formation Costs		$	1,005,498		$	(6,276)		$	320,415		$	165,156
Loss from operations			(1,005,498)			(6,276)			(320,415)			(165,156)
Total other (expense) income, net			1,788,935			—			(485,807)			1,494,009
Net income (loss)			783,438			(6,276)			(806,222)			1,328,853
Basic weighted average ordinary shares outstanding			16,820,548			3,000,000			17,250,000			15,508,333
Basic net income (loss) per ordinary share(1)			0.05			(0.00)			(0.05)			0.09
Diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding			16,834,110			3,000,000			17,250,000			15,508,333
Diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share			0.05			(0.00)			(0.05)			0.09

Balance Sheet Data:	As of December 31, 2021			As of December 31, 2020			As of March 31, 2022
Working capital		$	303,753		$	(150,249)		$	483,338
Trust Account			139,410,739			—			140,447,694
Total assets			139,923,196			199,484			140,972,035
Total liabilities			9,240,295			180,760			5,190,000
Value of Vickers Ordinary Shares subject to redemption			139,380,000			—			140,415,000
Shareholders’ equity (deficit)			(8,697,099)			18,724			(10,538,321)

(1)

At December 31, 2020, excludes an aggregate of up to 450,000 ordinary shares that were subject to forfeiture.

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF SCILEX

The following selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from Scilex’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The following selected consolidated statements of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2022 have been derived from Scilex’s unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Scilex’s unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the information for the interim periods.

The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period. You should read the following selected financial information presented below in conjunction with the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Scilex” and Scilex’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

	Year Ended December 31,									Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)	2021			2020			2019			2022			2021
Statements of Operations Data:
Net revenue		$	31,317		$	23,560		$	21,033		$	6,812		$	5,517
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue			3,634			2,149			5,802			1,144			852
Research and development			9,201			9,961			10,216			2,631			2,719
Acquired in-process research and development			—			—			75,301			—			—
Selling, general and administrative			50,582			42,970			64,696			10,908			12,341
Intangible amortization			3,738			3,738			3,713			935			935
Total operating costs and expenses			67,155			58,818			159,728			15,618			16,847
Loss from operations			(35,838)			(35,258)			(138,695)			(8,806)			(11,330)
Other (income) expense:
Loss (gain) on derivative liability			300			(800)			23,300			(7,500)			(2,200)
Loss on debt extinguishment, net			12,463			—			—			4,799			7,070
Scilex Pharma Notes principal increase			28,000			—			—			—			—
Interest expense			11,764			13,116			16,889			3,031			2,862
Interest income			—			—			(460)			—			—
Loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange			54			(2)			168			4			2
Total other expense			52,581			12,314			39,897			334			7,734
Loss before income taxes			(88,419)			(47,572)			(178,592)			(9,140)			(19,064)
Income tax expense (benefit)			5			(53)			2			3			5
Net loss		$	(88,424)		$	(47,519)		$	(178,594)		$	(9,143)		$	(19,069)
Net loss per share – basic and diluted		$	(0.45)		$	(0.24)		$	(0.95)		$	(0.05)		$	(0.10)
Weighted average number of shares during the period – basic and diluted			197,266			197,315			187,524			197,516			197,266

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SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (the “Summary Pro Forma Information”) presents the combination of the financial information of Vickers and Scilex after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Business Combination, and related adjustments further described in the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet data as of March 31, 2022 gives effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on March 31, 2022. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 give effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on January 1, 2021.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on, and should be read in conjunction with:

•

the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information;

•

the audited historical financial statements and the unaudited historical financial statements of each of Vickers and Scilex as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022, respectively, and the related notes thereto, in each case, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus; and

•

other information relating to Vickers and Scilex contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the disclosures contained in the sections titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Vickers” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Scilex.”

The Summary Pro Forma Information has been presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the post-combination company’s financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the Business Combination been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the Summary Pro Forma Information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the post-combination company.

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined information assumes that Vickers’s public shareholders approve the proposed Business Combination. Vickers’s public shareholders may elect to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash even if they approve the proposed Business Combination. Vickers cannot predict how many of its public shareholders will exercise their right to have their public shares redeemed for cash. As a result, Vickers has elected to provide the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information under three different redemption scenarios as described below.

•

Assuming No Redemption: This scenario assumes that no Vickers public shareholders exercise their right to redeem any of their Vickers Ordinary Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds in the Trust Account, and thus the full amount held in the Trust Account as of the Closing is available for the Business Combination. The no redemption scenario is based on the number of shares outstanding as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.

•

Assuming Interim Redemption: This scenario assumes that 5,835,837 Vickers Ordinary Shares (60% of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus) are redeemed at approximately $10.29 per share for an aggregate payment of $60,052,533 to be redeemed out of the Trust Account. For the interim redemption scenario, the 60% redemption rate is assessed as a mid-point between a no redemption and maximum redemption scenario where Vickers public shareholders exercise their redemption rights with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares. Scilex selected a 60% redemption rate based on input from its financial advisors regarding market trends for similar transactions.

•

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at an assumed redemption price of approximately $10.29 per share based on the Trust Account balance as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. In the event that Vickers's public shareholders exercise redemption rights that result in the redemption of 75% or more of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares, the Sponsors agreed to be subject to a 40% forfeiture of Private Placement Warrants held by each Sponsor immediately prior to Closing. This scenario also assumes 40% of the value of the outstanding Private Placement Warrants are forfeited.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what the combined financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the combined companies. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)	No Redemption Scenario			Interim Redemption Scenario			Maximum Redemption Scenario
Statement of Operations Data
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Net revenue		$	6,812		$	6,812		$	6,812
Net loss		$	(9,631)		$	(9,631)		$	(9,631)
Weighted average shares outstanding of Vickers common stock, basic and diluted			138,890,635			133,054,798			129,164,240
Net loss per share of Vickers common stock, basic and diluted		$	(0.07)		$	(0.07)		$	(0.07)
Balance Sheet Data as of March 31, 2022
Total assets		$	201,256		$	141,203		$	103,763
Total liabilities		$	349,153		$	349,153		$	350,243
Total stockholders’ deficit		$	(147,897)		$	(207,950)		$	(246,480)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)	No Redemption Scenario			Interim Redemption Scenario			Maximum Redemption Scenario
Statement of Operations Data
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Net revenue		$	31,317		$	31,317		$	31,317
Net loss		$	(87,364)		$	(87,500)		$	(92,330)
Weighted average shares outstanding of Vickers common stock, basic and diluted			138,890,635			133,054,798			129,164,240
Net loss per share of Vickers common stock, basic and diluted		$	(0.63)		$	(0.66)		$	(0.71)

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TRADING MARKET AND DIVIDENDS

Vickers

Ticker Symbol and Market Price

The Units, Vickers Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants are each listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “VCKAU,” “VCKA,” and “VCKAW,” respectively.

The closing prices of the Units, Vickers Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants on March 16, 2022, the last trading day before announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement, were $10.22, $10.15 and $0.21, respectively. As of , 2022, the record date for the Meeting, the closing prices for each Unit, Vickers Ordinary Share and Public Warrant were $ , $ and $ , respectively.

Holders

As of , 2022, there were holders of record of the Units, holders of record of the Vickers Ordinary Shares and holders of record of the Public Warrants. The number of holders of record does not include a substantially greater number of “street name” holders or beneficial holders whose Units, Vickers Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

Dividend Policy

Vickers has not paid any cash dividends on Vickers Ordinary Shares to date and does not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of the Business Combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon New Scilex’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of the Business Combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to the Business Combination will be within the discretion of the New Scilex Board. Further, if New Scilex incurs any indebtedness in connection with the Business Combination, New Scilex’s ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants New Scilex has agreed to in connection therewith.

Scilex

There is no public market for shares of Scilex Common Stock.

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BUSINESS OF VICKERS

Unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this section, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” or “Vickers” refer to Vickers Vantage Corp. I prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

Overview

Vickers was incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 21, 2020 and shall migrate to and domesticate as a Delaware corporation prior to the Closing. Vickers was formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Vickers’s Current Charter provides that it will continue in existence only until January 11, 2023. If Vickers is unable to complete its initial business combination by such date, it will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including any interest not previously released to Vickers (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law. As promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining shareholders and the Vickers Board, Vickers will dissolve and liquidate, subject to its obligations under the laws of the Cayman Islands to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

Trust Account

Following the closing of the IPO on January 11, 2021 and the underwriters’ exercise of over-allotment option, $139,380,000 from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in a Trust Account maintained by Continental, acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”). The funds held in the Trust Account are and will be invested only in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, so that Vickers is not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to Vickers to pay its income or other tax obligations, the proceeds will not be released from the Trust Account until the earlier of the completion of a Business Combination or the redemption of 100% of the outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares if Vickers has not completed a Business Combination in the required time period. The proceeds held in the Trust Account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which Vickers completes a Business Combination along with the expenses associated with the Business Combination. Any amounts not paid as consideration to the sellers of the target business may be used to finance operations of the target business.

Business Combination Activities

On March 17, 2022, we entered into the Merger Agreement. As a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder, Scilex will become our wholly owned subsidiary, and we will change our name to “Scilex Holding Company.” In the event that the Business Combination is not consummated by January 11, 2023, our corporate existence will cease and we will distribute the proceeds held in the Trust Account to our public shareholders unless we obtain prior approval of our shareholders to amend the Current Charter.

Redemption Rights

Our shareholders (except the Initial Shareholders) will be entitled to redeem their public shares for a pro rata share of the Trust Account (currently anticipated to be no less than approximately $10.29 per Vickers Ordinary Share for shareholders) net of taxes payable. The Initial Shareholders do not have redemption rights with respect to any Vickers Ordinary Shares owned by them, directly or indirectly.

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Automatic Dissolution and Subsequent Liquidation of Trust Account if No Business Combination

If Vickers does not complete a business combination by January 11, 2023, it will trigger its automatic winding up, dissolution and liquidation pursuant to the terms of the Current Charter. As a result, this has the same effect as if Vickers had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Accordingly, no vote would be required from Vickers’s shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, dissolution and liquidation. If Vickers is unable to consummate its initial business combination by such date, it will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not necessary to pay its taxes, and then seek to liquidate and dissolve. There will not be any payment to redeem the Public Warrants or Private Placement Warrants and they will all expire worthless.

The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could, however, become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of our public shareholders. Although Vickers will seek to have all vendors, service providers (excluding our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case, in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, Vickers will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third-party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver.

Maxim has not executed agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account. In addition, there is no guarantee that entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. The Sponsors have agreed that they will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced below $10.10 per Vickers Ordinary Share by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by Vickers for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to Vickers, but Vickers cannot assure that it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. Vickers has not asked the Sponsors to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has Vickers independently verified whether the Sponsors have sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believes that the Sponsors’ only assets are securities of Vickers. Therefore, Vickers believes it is unlikely that the Sponsors will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so.

In the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below $10.10 per Vickers Ordinary Share less taxes payable, and our Sponsors assert that they are unable to satisfy their indemnification obligations or that they have no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our Sponsors to enforce their indemnification obligations. While Vickers currently expects that its independent directors would take legal action on its behalf against the Sponsors to enforce their indemnification obligations to Vickers, it is possible that Vickers’s independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. Accordingly, Vickers cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.10.

If Vickers files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against it that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in its bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims

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of Vickers’s public shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, Vickers cannot assure you it will be able to return $10.10 per Vickers Ordinary Share to public shareholders. Additionally, if Vickers files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Vickers that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our public shareholders. Furthermore, the Vickers Board may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and Vickers to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. Vickers cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against Vickers for these reasons.

Each of the Sponsors and Maxim have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidation of the Trust Account or other assets with respect to the Private Placement Warrants they hold.

Facilities

We maintain our principal executive offices at 1 Harbourfront Avenue, #16-06 Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632. Our Sponsors are providing this space at no cost. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

Employees

Vickers has two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to its matters and intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to its affairs. Vickers presently expects its executive officers to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business. Vickers does not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF VICKERS

The following discussion and analysis of Vickers’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this section, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” or “Vickers” refer to Vickers Vantage Corp. I prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on February 21, 2020 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. We intend to effectuate the Business Combination using cash derived from the proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, our shares, debt or a combination of cash, shares and debt.

We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete the Business Combination will be successful.

On April 10, 2022, we extended the period of time to consummate a Business Combination to July 11, 2022. The Sponsors deposited $1,035,000 into the Trust Account made in the form of non-interest-bearing loans. On June 30, 2022, Vickers’s shareholders approved the Extension Amendment to its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the deadline by which it must complete an initial business combination from July 11, 2022 to January 11, 2023. Any such extension is to be made on a monthly basis and is conditioned on the deposit into the Trust Account of a payment equal to $0.0333 per public share outstanding. In connection with the shareholder vote on the Extension Amendment, Vickers was required to provide its shareholders with the right to redeem their public shares. Holders of 4,073,605 public shares elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of $10.25 thereby reducing the amount in the Trust Account by an aggregate of approximately $41.8 million. If Vickers completes an initial business combination, Vickers will, at the option of the Sponsors, repay the amounts evidenced by the Convertible Promissory Notes or convert a portion or all of the total amount into Working Capital Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Working Capital Warrant, which Working Capital Warrants are identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued simultaneously with the IPO. If the Business Combination is not consummated, the Convertible Promissory Notes will not be repaid by Vickers and all amounts owed thereunder by Vickers will be forgiven except to the extent that Vickers has funds available to it outside of its Trust Account.

Results of Operations

We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities from February 21, 2020 (inception) through March 31, 2022 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the IPO, described below, and identifying a target company for a Business Combination and those necessary for entering into the Merger Agreement and preparing for the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its Business Combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we had a net loss of $806,222, which consists of change in fair value of conversion option liability of $69,896, change in fair value of warrant liability gain of $410,400, amortization of debt discount of $7,466 and operating costs of $320,415, offset by interest income on investments in the Trust Account of $1,955. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had a net income of $783,438, which consists of interest income on investments in the Trust Account of $30,739, change in fair value of conversion option liability of $11,835 and change in fair value of warrant liability

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gain of $4,377,600 offset by operating costs of $1,005,498, amortization of debt discount of $1,826, loss on initial issuance of Private Placement Warrants of $2,599,200 and transaction costs allocated to warrant liabilties of $30,212.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we had net income of $1,328,853, which consists of by interest income on investments in the Trust Account of $19,421 and change in fair value of warrant liability gain of $4,104,000 offset by operating costs of $165,156, initial issuance of private warrants of $2,599,200 and transaction cost allocated to warrant liabilities of $30,212. For the period from February 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we had loss of $6,276, which consisted of formation and operating expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On January 11, 2021, we consummated the IPO of 13,800,000 Units at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $138,000,000, which is described in Note 3 titled “Public Offering” of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 6,840,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to the Sponsors, generating gross proceeds of $5,130,000, which is described in Note 4 titled “Private Placement” of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Following the IPO, full exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, a total of $139,380,000 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $8,149,473 in transaction costs, including $2,400,000 of underwriting fees, $5,190,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $559,473 of other offering costs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, cash used in operating activities was $880,481. Net loss of $806,222 was affected by change in fair value of conversion option liability of $69,896, change in fair value of warrant liability gain of $410,400, amortization of debt discount of $7,466 and interest income on investments in the Trust Account of $1,955. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $560,066 of cash for operating activities. For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used in operating activities was $801,330. Net income of $783,438 was affected by transaction cost allocated to warrant liabilities of $30,212, change in fair value of conversion option liability of $11,835, amortization of debt discount of $1,826, change in fair value of warrant liability of $4,377,600, loss on initial issuance of Private Placement Warrants of $2,599,200 and interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $30,739. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $204,168 of cash for operating activities.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, cash used in operating activities was $494,332. Net income of $1,328,853 was affected by transaction cost allocated to warrant liabilities of $30,212, change in fair value of warrant liability of $4,104,000, loss on initial issuance of private warrants of $2,599,200 and interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $19,421. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $329,176 of cash for operating activities. For the period from February 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, cash used in operating activities was $1,276. Net loss of $6,276 was affected by $5,000 in formation costs paid through advances from affiliates of the Sponsors.

As of March 31, 2022, we had marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $140,447,694 (including approximately $1,955 of interest income consisting of U.S. Treasury Bills with a maturity of 185 days or less). As of December 31, 2021, we had marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $139,410,739 (including approximately $31,000 of interest income consisting of U.S. Treasury Bills with a maturity of 185 days or less). We may withdraw interest from the Trust Account to pay taxes, if any. We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less income taxes payable), to complete the Business Combination. To the extent that our share capital or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete the Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.

As of March 31, 2022, we had cash of $127,440. As of December 31, 2021, we had cash of $507,921. The funds held outside the Trust Account have primarily been used to identify and evaluate target businesses,

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perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a Business Combination.

In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with the Business Combination, the Sponsors, or certain of our officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete the Business Combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into Working Capital Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Working Capital Warrant, at the option of the lender, and would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued simultaneously with the IPO. As of March 31, 2022, we entered into convertible promissory notes with the Sponsors pursuant to which the Sponsors agreed to the loan the Company an aggregate principal amount of $2,035,000 (the “Convertible Promissory Notes”) non-interest-bearing loan that is payable at consummation of a Business Combination. Up to $2,035,000 of the Convertible Promissory Notes may be converted into Working Capital Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Working Capital Warrant at the option of the Sponsors and would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued simultaneously with the IPO.

Going Concern

In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” we have determined that the liquidity condition and date for mandatory liquidation and dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through January 11, 2023, the scheduled liquidation date of the Company if it does not complete a Business Combination prior to such date. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

If the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, suspending the pursuit of the Business Combination. The Company cannot provide any assurance that new financing will be available to it on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no obligations, assets or liabilities that would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.

Contractual Obligations

We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities.

The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of (i) 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the initial 12,000,000 Units sold in the IPO, or $4,200,000, and (ii) 5.5% of the gross proceeds from the Units sold pursuant to the over-allotment option, or $990,000. The deferred fee will be paid in cash upon the closing of the Business Combination from the amounts held in the Trust Account, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Maxim and Vickers entered into the UWA Amendment that provides that, in connection with the Business Combination, after redemptions of public

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shares by the public shareholders, in the event that the balance in the Trust Account is $25,000,000 or less, then the deferred underwriting fees owed to Maxim by Vickers will be payable as follows:

(i)

50% of such deferred underwriting fees will be payable to Maxim directly from the Trust Account; and

(ii)

Maxim has also agreed to enter into any such amendment to the Investment Management Trust Agreement as may be required to effectuate the intent of the UWA Amendment.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:

Warrant Liability

The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Vickers Ordinary Shares, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. We account for the Warrants issued in connection with the IPO in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 under which the public warrants meet the criteria for equity treatment and the Private Placement Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, we classify the Private Placement Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Private Placement Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our statement of operations. The fair value of the warrants was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing formula.

Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for Vickers Ordinary Shares subject to possible conversion in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. Vickers Ordinary Shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, Vickers Ordinary Shares subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of our balance sheets. We recognize changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of the Vickers Ordinary Shares subject to possible redemption to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. This method would view the end of the reporting period as if it were also the redemption date for the security.

Net Income (Loss) Per Ordinary Share

Net loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Accretion associated with the redeemable ordinary shares is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

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BUSINESS OF SCILEX

Unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this section, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” or “Scilex” refer to Scilex Holding Company prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

Our Company

We are a commercial biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing non-opioid therapies for patients with acute and chronic pain. We target indications with high unmet needs and large market opportunities with non-opioid therapies for the treatment of patients with acute and chronic pain and are dedicated to advancing and improving patient outcomes. We launched our first commercial product in October 2018 and are developing our late-stage pipeline, which includes a pivotal Phase 3 candidate, a Phase 2 candidate, and a Phase 1 candidate that is expected to enter Phase 2 studies in the second half of 2022. Our commercial product, ZTlido (lidocaine topical system) 1.8% is a prescription lidocaine topical product approved by the FDA for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (“PHN”), which is a form of post-shingles nerve pain. ZTlido possesses novel delivery and adhesion technology designed to address many of the limitations of current prescription lidocaine patches by providing significantly improved adhesion and continuous pain relief throughout the 12-hour administration period. Scilex licenses the rights to ZTlido from and relies exclusively on Oishi Koseido Co., Ltd. (“Oishi”) and Itochu Chemical Frontier Corporation (“Itochu,” and together with Oishi, the “Developers”) pursuant to the Product Development Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement. The Developers have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and the Commercial Supply Agreement under certain circumstances as more fully described in the sections titled “Business of Scilex — Material Agreements — Itochu and Oishi Product Development Agreement” and “Business — Material Agreements — Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement,” including, among other things, if Scilex’s total net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 are equal to or less than five percent of our net sales of ZTlido and SP-103 for a period of four or more consecutive quarters. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex’s net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 have not exceeded five percent of net sales. Accordingly, Oishi and Itochu have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, neither Oishi nor Itochu has exercised its right of termination.

Our three product candidates are (i) SP-102 (10 mg, dexamethasone sodium phosphate viscous gel) (“SEMDEXA”), a Phase 3, novel, viscous gel formulation of a widely used corticosteroid for epidural injections to treat lumbosacral radicular pain, or sciatica; (ii) SP-103 (lidocaine topical system) 5.4%, (“SP‑103”), a Phase 2, next-generation, triple-strength formulation of ZTlido, for the treatment of LBP; and (iii) SP-104 (4.5 mg, low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release capsules) (“SP-104”), a novel low-dose delayed-release naltrexone hydrochloride being developed for the treatment of fibromyalgia, for which Phase 1 trials were completed in the second quarter of 2022 and a Phase 2 clinical trial is expected to commence in the second half of 2022. If these product candidates are approved by the FDA, we believe each of them could become the treatment option for their respective indications in the United States.

Most recently, on June 14, 2022, Scilex entered into a License and Commercialization Agreement (the “Romeg Agreement”) with RxOmeg Therapeutics, LLC (a/k/a Romeg Therapeutics, Inc.). Pursuant to the Romeg Agreement, among other things, Romeg granted Scilex (1) the right to manufacture, promote, market, distribute and sell pharmaceutical products comprising liquid formulations of colchicine for the prophylactic treatment of gout in adult humans in the United States and (2) an exclusive, transferable license to use the trademark “GLOPERBA”. GLOPERBA is an FDA-approved, oral medication for the treatment of gout in adults. Gout is a painful arthritic disorder affecting an estimated 8.7 million people in the United States. Gout pain can be excruciating and is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in some people who have high levels of uric acid in their blood. It can cause sudden severe episodes of pain and can be disabling with tenderness, warmth and swelling. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine and corticosteroids are used a majority of time as the first line to treat acute gout. The U.S. is observed to have a high prevalence of gout, owing to lifestyle issues such as high alcohol intake, obesity, and smoking. Scilex is planning to commercialize GLOPERBA beginning in the first half of 2023 and is well-positioned to market and distribute the product. Scilex has a direct distribution network to national and regional wholesalers

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and pharmacies throughout all U.S. states. For more information on Scilex, please see the sections titled “Business of Scilex — Material Agreements — Romeg License and Commercialization Agreement.”

We are focused on identifying treatment options for pain management with established mechanisms that have deficiencies in safety, efficacy or patient experience. We believe this approach allows us to potentially leverage the regulatory approval pathway available under Section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for each of these pipeline product candidates.

We believe our marketed product, ZTlido, has multiple advantages over currently available prescription and OTC lidocaine patches, of which over 147 million and 136 million of such patches were sold in the United States in 2021 and 2020, respectively, according to Symphony Healthcare. We have sold 6,336,032 and 7,011,112 ZTlido patches in the United States in 2020 and 2021, respectively. We acquired SP-102 from Semnur in March 2019 and are developing it to be an injectable viscous gel formulation of a widely used corticosteroid designed to address the serious risks posed by off-label epidural steroid injections (“ESI”), which are administered over 12 million times annually in the United States. See the section titled “Business of Scilex — Material Agreements — Semnur Merger Agreement’’ for a description of our acquisition of Semnur and our ongoing obligations to Semnur’s former equityholders. SEMDEXA has been granted fast track designation by the FDA and, if approved, could become the only FDA-approved ESI for the treatment of sciatica. According to a report by Decision Resources Group, it is estimated that over 4.8 million patients will suffer from sciatica in the United States in 2022. We are developing SP-103 to be a high-strength, non-aqueous lidocaine topical system that, if approved, could become the first FDA-approved lidocaine topical product for the treatment of acute LBP. We are developing SP-104 as a novel delayed-release formulation of low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride for the treatment of fibromyalgia, which remains a largely unmet medical need given the low response rates of commercially available therapies. Naltrexone is routinely used off-label to treat fibromyalgia. There are no low-dose formulations commercially available in the United States. Our patented formulation is designed to overcome undesirable effects of immediate release naltrexone, such as hyperalgesia, dysphoria, nausea, anxiety and insomnia. We believe our currently approved product and future product candidates, if approved, could uniquely address what we believe are the significant unmet needs of the targeted populations.

Our Marketed Product and Pipeline

The following chart illustrates our current commercial product and novel product candidates, for which we have worldwide commercialization rights, except with respect to Japan for ZTlido and SP-103.

Our Strategy

Our vision is to become the leading pain management company delivering novel non-opioid and non-addictive treatments to provide safe, effective and durable relief of multiple pain conditions. To accomplish this, the principal elements of our strategy are the following:

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•

Maximize the commercial potential of ZTlido. We have assembled an integrated commercial organization using a dedicated sales force and sales management, marketing and managed care capabilities to support continued uptake of ZTlido. We leverage a sales force of approximately 60-70 people, targeting over 10,000 primary care physicians, pain specialists, neurologists, and palliative care physicians who we believe treat the majority of PHN patients. Additionally, we are utilizing direct-to-patient marketing strategies to expand awareness and utilization of ZTlido. Our managed healthcare account executives have extensive experience in negotiating contracts and have already achieved significant uptake by adding ZTlido to key formularies such as Cigna HealthCare (commercial and Medicare plans), Express Scripts (commercial and Medicare plans), United Healthcare Commercial, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (“BCBS”), BCBS of Massachusetts, Louisiana and Kansas, Lifetime/Excellus BCBS, MedImpact, CareFirst, Select Health and Medicaid in California, Florida, Connecticut, Idaho, and North Dakota.

•

Develop and commercialize SEMDEXA as a novel epidural injection for the first approved treatment of sciatica. We are developing SEMDEXA to address the limitations associated with the available corticosteroid epidural injectable products that are used off-label. Many of these products contain potentially neurotoxic preservatives and particulates, and are administered over 12 million times annually despite a warning on the label of serious neurologic complications, including loss of vision, stroke, paralysis and death. These products carry warnings required by the FDA that the safety and efficacy of epidural administration has not been established. SEMDEXA has received fast track designation from the FDA and, if approved, could become the first FDA-approved epidural steroid product with long-term patent protection, which we also believe would create significant barriers to entry. Due to the novelty of our formulation as well as the associated patents and trade secrets, future potential competitors could be required to conduct extensive preclinical studies and costly comparative clinical trials. A full 6-month data analysis was completed in February 2022 and we have recently completed a pivotal Phase 3 study with final results received in March 2022, which results reflect achievement of primary and secondary endpoints. We believe these final results are supportive of a breakthrough therapy designation for sciatica that, in addition to the fast track designation, is expected to allow the FDA to further expedite the overall development program leading to market approval. We have extensive clinical and pre-clinical data (including those obtained from multiple Phase 2 clinical trials) with the novel viscous gel formulation of SP-102. We expect to present the robust data collected over the course of our multi-year clinical development program to the FDA as part of a NDA.

•

Pursue clinical development of SP-103 for the first approved topical treatment in patients with acute LBP. We are developing SP-103 as a triple-strength lidocaine topical system for the treatment of acute LBP, to be used where we believe a high-dose strength and superior adhesive qualities of a topical system may provide a greater therapeutic benefit than currently available therapies. SP-103 is designed to use ZTlido’s delivery and adhesion technology to deliver a dose of lidocaine that is threefold higher than any other approved lidocaine topical products. We initiated a Phase 2 trial in acute LBP in the second quarter of 2022. If approved, SP-103 could become the only FDA-approved lidocaine topical product for the treatment of acute LBP.

•

Pursue clinical development of SP-104 for the treatment of fibromyalgia, which has very few approved therapies that are marginally effective and have unpleasant side-effects. We are developing SP-104 for fibromyalgia. Low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release capsules are routinely used off-label to treat fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions such as complex regional pain. SP-104 addresses the shortcomings of using the high-dose commercial products and pharmacy-compounded products by delivering a low-dose of naltrexone hydrochloride (approximately 11 times less than the commercial product) in a delayed-release formulation that bypasses the stomach and releases the drug in the gut (upper intestine). These product characteristics mitigate against the known safety issues associated with the high-dose commercial products and immediate release pharmacy-compounded products, and the overall reliability issues associated with pharmacy-compounded products. SP-104 has completed two Phase 1 studies to characterize the pharmacokinetics and safety of the product, and we expect to commence Phase 2 studies in the second half of 2022.

•

Expand our product portfolio by developing or acquiring non-opioid assets that leverage our novel delivery and adhesion technologies or our existing commercial infrastructure. We are continuously

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evaluating opportunities to leverage our research and development experience to develop non-opioid therapeutics for pain management indications that are not adequately served with existing treatment options. We also seek to in-license or acquire non-opioid therapeutics that can both complement our existing product portfolio and benefit from our existing commercial infrastructure. In evaluating marketed and clinical-stage expansion opportunities, Scilex intends to pursue therapeutics that address markets served by our established target physician audience and that can be commercialized by our existing sales force.

•

Leverage our management team’s experience to further develop and commercialize its current and future product portfolio. Our management team has held senior positions at leading biopharmaceutical companies, including Allergan, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Cephalon, Inc., Roche AG, PDL BioPharma, Inc., Xenoport, Inc. and Chiron Corp. Our team has substantial experience in rapidly progressing new drugs to clinical proof of concept, completing successful pivotal registration programs and successfully commercializing products.

We believe that our innovative non-opioid product portfolio has the potential to provide effective pain management therapies that can have a transformative impact on patients’ lives.

Our Management Team

We have assembled a management team of experienced biopharma industry veterans, who have deep scientific, business and leadership expertise in pharmaceutical industry, in addition to strong transactional and business development track records.

Our management team is led by our Chief Executive Officer and President, Jaisim Shah, with strategic guidance from our Executive Chairman, Henry Ji, Ph.D. They collectively have over 40 years of global biopharmaceutical and biotechnology experience. Mr. Shah served as the Chief Executive Officer of Semnur from its inception in 2013 until our acquisition of Semnur in March 2019. He also has over 15 years of senior management experience in leading business development, commercial operations, investor relations, marketing and medical affairs. Dr. Ji is the holder of several issued and pending patents in the life science research field and is the sole inventor of Sorrento’s intellectual property. Our Chief Financial Officer, Elizabeth Czerepak, has more than 35 years of finance and operational expertise across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and venture capital. Our research efforts are guided by highly experienced scientists and experts, including our Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Dmitri V. Lissin, M.D. Dr. Lissin has broad expertise with proprietary drug-delivery technologies applied to therapeutic products spanning numerous clinical areas, including pain and neurological disorders. Our management team contributes a diverse range of experiences from leading biopharmaceutical companies, including Allergan, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Cephalon, Inc., Roche AG, PDL BioPharma, Inc., Xenoport, Inc. and Chiron Corp. With this leadership, we believe we are well positioned to achieve our vision of becoming the leading pain management company delivering novel non-opioid and non-addictive treatments to provide safe, effective and durable relief of multiple pain conditions.

In addition, we are supported by impressive teams across all levels of the organization. We hire and develop world-class talent from diverse backgrounds in biopharma, academia, technology and finance to ensure we have all of the capabilities to design and deliver effective first-class pain management therapies.

Our Product Portfolio

ZTlido

Our marketed product, ZTlido, is a lidocaine topical system approved for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with PHN. ZTlido was strategically designed to address the limitations of current prescription lidocaine patches by providing significantly improved adhesion and continuous pain relief throughout the 12-hour administration period. We launched ZTlido in October 2018 with an integrated commercial organization and we believe its differentiated therapeutic profile, combined with our competitive pricing

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strategy and our active direct marketing efforts have driven, and will continue to drive, accelerated sales growth and increased market uptake.

Prescription Lidocaine Patch Market Overview

Prescription lidocaine patches are approved by the FDA as a local anesthetic and are generally used as a first-line treatment for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with PHN. PHN is a chronic neuropathic pain syndrome that results as a complication following an infection of herpes zoster, also known as shingles. Herpes zoster symptoms resolve after a few weeks, but the pain caused by the nerve injury can persist for months to years surrounding the affected area. According to Evaluate Ltd., there were over 3.5 million people living with PHN conditions in the United States in 2021. Lidocaine patches have also been used in patients with other types of pain, such as diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis and pain associated with surgery, cancer or trauma, and often in patients with LBP.

In 2021, there were more than 147 million prescription lidocaine patches sold in the United States, according to Symphony Healthcare. Of this, five lidocaine patch manufacturers accounted for approximately 92% of the total prescriptions, according to Symphony Healthcare. We believe that the PHN market will continue to expand with the introduction of our lidocaine topical system, ZTlido, which is supported by our commercial organization, by prescribing trends away from opioid use, and by continued growth in the population of patients aged 45 years and older who are at greater risk of suffering from PHN. Unlike Lidoderm, the FDA has not determined that any other products are therapeutically equivalent to ZTlido, and accordingly, a prescription for ZTlido may not be able to be substituted by a generic product.

Current Treatment Landscape and Limitations of Existing Treatments

Recommended first-line treatment for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with PHN includes topical lidocaine, gabapentinoids (which have been associated with the potential for abuse as well as numerous adverse events), antidepressants and a multi-modal approach. Topical lidocaine and gabapentinoids are preferred for combination therapies due to their low propensity for drug-to-drug interactions. For example, an eight-week combination use with pregabalin (Lyrica) has been proven to reduce pain in half for patients who had inadequate relief on monotherapy, despite titration of pregabalin to effect. This efficacy boost was achieved without tolerability issues or adding to side effects.

A survey analyzing treatment patterns for neuropathic pain associated with PHN found that recommended first-line therapeutics were used in only 29% of patients examined from 2010 to 2014, while the remaining patients were started on various off-label treatments, including NSAIDS and opioids. These drugs can have adverse effects, especially on elderly patients, which represent the majority of PHN patients. For example, opioids carry a well-characterized risk of abuse and misuse and the potential for serious side effects, such as respiratory depression, constipation and others, including death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 75% of the 100,306 drug overdose deaths during the 12-month period ending in April 2021 involved opioids. Similarly, tricyclic antidepressants, which can be effective in managing the neuropathic pain associated with PHN, can result in significant systemic side effects and cardiotoxicity, posing risks to the elderly and patients with heart disease, epilepsy or glaucoma. These side effects make topical lidocaine products an attractive first-line treatment option from a safety perspective.

The safety of lidocaine patches is well-supported in medical literature. Unlike transdermal medications that are designed to achieve systemic drug levels via absorption through the skin or mucosal membrane, leading to effects away from the application site, topical lidocaine has a local effect at the site of application. Because drug application is localized to the immediate area surrounding the patch, systemic absorption from a topical patch is low, reducing the risk of systemic side effects and lowering the potential for drug interactions relative to other systemic pharmacologic therapies. Due to the low systemic exposure and minimal systemic side effects reported in clinical trials, we believe a topical lidocaine patch is well-suited for patients being treated with multiple medications or at a higher risk of side effects, including the elderly or those with chronic conditions. As a localized treatment, lidocaine patches have been used concomitantly with other medications in patients for whom monotherapy is inadequate. Furthermore, we believe medication administered topically rather than orally can improve patient compliance.

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While lidocaine patches have certain advantages over the treatment alternatives discussed above, certain patches have limitations that may impact efficacy. For example, poor adhesion of the patch is a leading problem for topical lidocaine patches cited in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (“FAERS”). Because the drug is incorporated in the adhesive for these products, patches must maintain adhesion or risk compromising the ability to deliver their full drug dose. As a result, establishing strong adhesion is a key factor for patient compliance and satisfaction. In draft guidance issued in July 2021, the FDA recommended that developers of topical and transdermal delivery systems (“TDSs”) conduct studies to characterize the adhesion performance of the product with suggested data requirements. Likewise, the FDA issued a draft guidance in October 2018 outlining the adhesion data requirements for generic TDSs. This guidance, along with Scilex’s past experience with regulatory agencies, shows the FDA’s interest and the importance of adhesion performance of these products. There are also dermal safety requirements that force developers to carefully balance adhesion performance against dermal safety. ZTlido is the first TDS product approved by the FDA that was able to demonstrate the targeted adhesion performance with an overall benign dermal safety profile.

The following figure depicts data derived from FAERS as of December 31, 2020:

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For many of the competing lidocaine patches, a common drawback is the usage of hydrogel technology that limits the overall pharmaceutical efficiency of the product, requiring more total drug to be loaded into the patch to deliver sufficient drug to achieve a therapeutic effect. For example, Lidoderm has a drug load of 700 mg drug but only delivers 3 ± 2% of that drug load. Consequently, adhesive thickness must be increased in order to have a drug load sufficient to deliver a therapeutic dose of drug to the skin. As adhesive thickness increases, the product’s pliability can be compromised to the extent that the patch loses adhesion as the skin moves and wrinkles through normal patient activity. The weight of the hydrogel patches (largely due to high water content) further contributes to the challenge in maintaining adhesion.

The greater drug load also poses a risk of accidental exposure. For example, with a bioavailability of 3 ± 2% of the 700 mg drug load for Lidoderm, there is over 650 mg of drug remaining on the patch at the end of the 12-hour administration period, as captured in a bolded warning on the product label. If improperly disposed of, the residual drug poses the potential risk to children, pets and others of accidental exposure to a toxic amount of lidocaine, although we believe the risk with this formulation has not been evaluated.

In addition to prescription lidocaine patches, there are commercially-available OTC topical lidocaine products in the market, but none of these OTC products have been reviewed or approved by the FDA. Notably in 2003, the FDA proposed amending the tentative final monograph for OTC external analgesic drug products to clarify the status of patches (and poultices and plasters), noting that the dosage forms had not been determined to be generally recognized as safe and effective for any analgesia at that time. Therefore,

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the FDA would likely not consider these OTC products to be compliant with the monograph and do not have legal marketing status.

Our Solution

Our novel adhesion and delivery technology provides significantly improved adhesion compared to Lidoderm, manufactured by Endo Pharmaceuticals, and generic alternatives marketed by Mylan N.V. (“Mylan”), while providing bioequivalent delivery of lidocaine via an efficient drug delivery system. Our product is lighter, thinner and provides for a better patient experience without compromise to dermal safety and with no presentation of dermal sensitization. Below is a comparison of the key advantages of ZTlido to Lidoderm and generic lidocaine patches manufactured by Teva and by Mylan.

Key Advantages of ZTlido vs. Lidoderm and Associated Generics

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ZTlido has been strategically designed to address poor adhesion, a leading complaint associated with other currently marketed topical lidocaine products. ZTlido uses an advanced hot-melt technology, which uses premixing and hot-melt mixing of various excipients and lidocaine, followed by cGMP compliant coating, lining, cutting and filling processes. In clinical studies, the technology provided significantly improved adhesion over Lidoderm and Mylan’s generic lidocaine patch at 12 hours after application. In a head-to-head study of 44 subjects, ZTlido showed statistically significant adhesion at all-time points compared to Lidoderm. Further, ZTlido maintained greater than 90% mean adhesion over the labeled 12-hour administration period while Lidoderm fell below this benchmark within 3 hours. ZTlido also showed superior adhesion when compared to Mylan’s generic lidocaine patch. In this head-to-head study, ZTlido maintained greater than 90% mean adhesion throughout the labeled 12-hour administration period, while Mylan’s generic product had a mean adhesion score of only 80% immediately after application, which progressively worsened over time. The formulation components are also carefully selected to achieve the target adhesion profile without creating dermal sensitization and maintaining a benign irritation profile.

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In two separate studies, adhesion performance of ZTlido was compared to Lidoderm (with 44 subjects) and to Mylan’s generic lidocaine patch (with 24 subjects), as depicted in the diagrams below. Both studies were performed with healthy volunteers using a standard clinical adhesion protocol where adhesion could not be enhanced (i.e., no reinforcement, pressing or reattaching). The level of adhesion was measured immediately after application (Time 0), and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours after application. ZTlido was the only lidocaine product to achieve over 90% adhesion over 12 hours after application in these studies. Maintaining 90% adhesion was a requirement for ZTlido’s NDA approval.

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The proprietary adhesive system utilized for ZTlido allows for a more efficient delivery of the drug from the patch to the skin. This was supported by a clinical study in which our product achieved a bioequivalent dose of lidocaine while using a reduced drug load (36 mg for ZTlido versus 700 mg for Lidoderm). The drug delivery efficiency of ZTlido lessens the danger of accidental exposure. After 12 hours after application, ZTlido contains approximately 18 mg of residual lidocaine. In comparison, each Lidoderm patch leaves over 650 mg in the patch at the end of the 12-hour administration period. If improperly disposed of, the residual drug poses a risk of accidental exposure to a toxic amount of lidocaine to children, pets and others, although the risk with this formulation has not been evaluated.

The drug delivery efficiency of ZTlido also enables it to be manufactured as a thinner product relative to Lidoderm and Teva’s generic lidocaine patch. We strategically leveraged this property of ZTlido by utilizing a thin patch design with a nonwoven backing cloth that allows for better adhesion of the product. The improved adhesion performance, thinner profile and incorporation of a flexible backing material allows for a product that maintains contact with the skin in contoured areas of the body, when encountering torsional strains arising from normal body movements and during contact with clothing and bedding. While Mylan’s generic lidocaine patch is also thinner than Lidoderm, it incorporates a film backing material that makes the product inflexible with body movements, contributing to its rapid loss in adhesion.

The adhesion profile of ZTlido allows the product to be used under moderate exercise conditions (tested in 4 sessions of 30-minutes of stationary bike exercise, cumulatively 2 hours) as captured in the ZTlido label. No ZTlido patches fell off during the entire 12-hour administration period. Lidoderm and the associated generics have not produced any public data on the use of their products by active pain patients under such conditions. ZTlido is also labeled to allow patients to shower and bathe while wearing the patch, which is supported by an adhesion or pharmacokinetic study showing that while some degree of lifting is observed in these environments, the patches were able to be pressed back down or reattached in the cases where the product completely detached, with no clinically meaningful change in pharmacokinetics. In contrast, Lidoderm and the associated generics are labeled with the effects of water exposure being unknown.

Although ZTlido, Lidoderm and the associated generics are all labeled to not be used with heat (e.g., heating pad or blanket), the FDA-approved ZTlido label states that users may apply ZTlido to a treatment site after moderate heat exposure, such as after 15 minutes of heating pad use on a medium setting. This

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authorized use of ZTlido is of value as heat therapy is widely used in treating pain. In contrast, Lidoderm and the associated generics are not labeled for use with heat.

We believe ZTlido has other favorable features compared to Lidoderm and associated generic lidocaine patches such as the inclusion of a perforated release liner and the absence of cold flow. The perforated release liner allows for easier removal of the liner before application, which we believe provides convenience to patients who have dexterity challenges. In contrast, Lidoderm and generic lidocaine patches incorporate a single-sheet release liner, requiring patients to pick at the corners and edges to breach and remove before application. Cold flow is the propensity of the adhesive to migrate from the edges of the product under normal conditions, either in the product envelope or while on the skin. This can lead to difficulties in removing the product from the envelope and/or movement of the product, while on the skin, away from the intended administration site.

We launched ZTlido in October 2018 with support from an integrated commercial organization using a dedicated sales force and sales management, marketing and managed care capabilities. We market ZTlido through a dedicated 65-person sales force, targeting over 10,000 primary care physicians, pain specialists, neurologists and palliative care physicians who we believe treat the majority of PHN patients. We are utilizing a multi-channel marketing strategy to expand awareness and utilization of ZTlido. Our managed healthcare account executives have achieved success in adding ZTlido to key formularies, including Cigna HealthCare (commercial and Medicare plans), Express Scripts (commercial and Medicare plans), United Healthcare Commercial, Anthem BCBS, BCBS of Massachusetts, Louisiana and Kansas, Lifetime/Excellus BCBS, MedImpact, CareFirst, Select Health and Medicaid in California, Florida, Connecticut, Idaho, and North Dakota. We believe the benefits of ZTlido, combined with our competitive pricing strategy and our active direct marketing efforts have driven, and will continue to drive, accelerated sales growth and increased market uptake.

We plan to support several investigator-initiated research studies to explore the clinical benefits of using ZTlido in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, intercostal neuralgia and other possible indications.

SP-102 (SEMDEXA)

SP-102 (SEMDEXA) is a Phase 3, novel, injectable viscous gel formulation of a widely used corticosteroid for epidural injections to treat sciatica. No ESIs are currently approved by the FDA.

Sciatica Market Overview

A particularly debilitating complication of back pathology is sciatica, which is a condition caused by mechanical compression of the nerve root, or by the effects of inflammatory mediators arising from a degenerative disc that results in inflammation and damage to the nerve roots. This nerve root compression in the lumbar segment of the spine causes shock-like or burning LBP combined with pain radiating down along the sciatic nerve through the buttocks and down one leg, sometimes reaching the foot. This often severe and debilitating leg pain is usually associated with symptoms of neuropathy-like numbness and tingling. The estimated lifetime incidence of sciatica ranges from 10% to 40% of the U.S. population, and about one-third of these cases will develop symptoms lasting over a year. According to a report by Decision Resources Group, it is estimated that over 4.8 million patients will suffer from sciatica in the United States in 2022.

Current Treatment Landscape and Limitations of Existing Treatments

As the U.S. population ages, the incidence of sciatica and the need for interventions are expected to continue to increase. For example, from 2000 to 2018, ESIs in Medicare beneficiaries increased by more than 125%.

Although there are numerous etiologies of sciatica, and therapies may differ based on the etiology, pain management interventions for sciatica are usually multi-modal. Among the pain management interventions, ESI is considered to be efficacious and has been widely used by physicians across multiple specialties, including anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain medicine. However, there is no ESI

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therapy approved by the FDA for sciatica to date, and particulate formulations of glucocorticoids have been associated with severe adverse events.

Patients with sciatica have a wide range of invasive and non-invasive treatment options. Surgical intervention options include such as vertebroplasy, spinal laminectomy, discectomy, microdiscectomy, foraminotomy, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, nucleoplasty, radiofrequency denervation, spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement. These options are generally the last line of treatment because they can result in prolonged recovery time, may not be successful in reducing pain or addressing the underlying cause, and may result in permanent loss of flexibility. For these reasons, less invasive interventions are usually implemented first. Less invasive interventions may include (i) nonpharmacological therapies such as physical therapy, stretching exercises, spinal manipulations or chiropractic therapy, traction, acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and biofeedback; (ii) oral pharmaceutical therapies such as NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, opiates, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants; and (iii) injectable pharmaceutical therapies such as off-label use of ESIs or nerve blocks.

ESIs for various back pain syndromes are one of the most common procedures performed in the United States and lumbosacral radicular ESI procedures represent 88% of total ESI procedures. ESIs are used when a patient’s pain is inadequately controlled with oral pain medications, topical systems or interventions such as physical therapy. ESIs have demonstrated efficacy in reducing pain, restoring function, reducing the need for other health care and avoiding back surgery. However, in addition to not being FDA-approved for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain, currently-used ESIs also present various risks and challenges.

When administering an ESI, many physicians use a particulate steroid (including methylprednisolone acetate, triamcinolone acetonide, or betamethasone sodium phosphate or betamethasone sodium acetate) instead of a non-particulate steroid (dexamethasone sodium phosphate) because early studies suggested that the duration of pain relief was longer with the particulates and fewer repeat injections were required, even though dexamethasone is considered an otherwise potent and therapeutically beneficial therapy. Particulate in injectable products is defined as extraneous undissolved particles present in injectable solution products. An example of such particulate is precipitate of insoluble drug form, or suspended drug particle. These steroid particles or their aggregates have at least two mechanisms for neurological damage: (1) they can act as emboli if injected into an artery and are of sufficient size to block small terminal arterioles supplying the brain or spinal cord; and (2) several particulate steroids have an immediate and massive effect on microvascular perfusion because of formation of red blood cell aggregates. These emboli can cause rare but catastrophic neurologic injuries including stroke and spinal cord injury that can result in increased pain, severe permanent disability or death. In addition, fungal meningitis has occurred from the injection of steroids manufactured in a compounding pharmacy that did not adhere to sterility standards.

The FDA has been evaluating serious neurologic events with ESIs since 2009, and in 2014, the FDA required a class warning on the currently off-label use of injectable corticosteroids to include information about the risk of serious neurologic events with ESIs. The warning on product labels for all injectable glucocorticoids states that the product is to be used for intramuscular or intra-articular purposes only, not for intravenous, intradermal, intraocular, epidural or intrathecal use, and specifically includes a warning for serious neurologic adverse reactions with epidural administration. These serious neurologic events have been reported with and without use of fluoroscopy. The class warning also includes a statement that safety and effectiveness of epidural administration of these corticosteroids have not been established.

Certain third-party payors have also provided limited coverage of ESIs to date. Based on coverage criteria established by different health care plans and certain Medicare Administrative Contractors, an ESI is considered medically necessary and therefore reimbursable only when certain specific criteria are met.

Our Solution

We are developing SP-102 to address problems associated with currently available corticosteroid products that are used in practice but not approved for epidural injection or the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain. SP-102 is a Phase 3 sterile dexamethasone sodium phosphate viscous gel formulation of 10 mg dexamethasone at a 5 mg/mL concentration in a pre-filled glass syringe for delivery via an epidural injection. SP-102 allows for the use of the potent dexamethasone and provides for longer residency time at

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the site of injection through the use of a viscous excipient in lieu of particulates. The product is also formulated without the use of preservatives and packaged in a pre-filled syringe, so as to confer greater physician convenience.

Currently-used steroids carry a class warning and are not approved to be administered epidurally for the treatment of sciatica. In fact, there are further warnings that the safety and efficacy of the use of these products following epidural administration has not been established. Their formulations include neurotoxic preservatives, surfactants, suspensions or particulates that carry risks of serious neurologic complications. Unlike currently-used steroids, SP-102 does not contain neurotoxic preservatives, surfactants, suspensions or particulates that carry risk of serious neurologic complications, which we believe may improve safety and the extent of pain relief. By using dexamethasone sodium phosphate, the soluble form of the potent dexamethasone, we believe SP-102 may substantially reduce the risk of embolic events in case of inadvertent intra-arterial administration and enable repeat injections. We expect the injectable viscous gel product, SP-102, which uses a biocompatible, biodegradable, novel excipient and is protected by multiple patents and patent applications and trade secrets, to prolong the residence time at the injection site and result in extended local activity. We believe SP-102, if successfully developed and approved, has the potential to reduce the disability related to lumbosacral radicular pain and help delay or avoid spine surgery.

If approved, SP-102 could become the first FDA-approved ESI product. We believe an FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of sciatica could potentially benefit from first-to-market advantage if it can be shown to reduce or delay the need for expensive and potentially risky interventions such as spinal surgery and decrease the use of opioids. SP-102 benefits from our substantial intellectual property portfolio and other technical barriers to entry for potential competitors. Further, we are a party to an exclusive supply agreement for a proprietary biocompatible viscosity-enhancing excipient sodium hyaluronate in SP-102.Our complex manufacturing process, specialized equipment and know-how for sterile viscous product candidates are also key to our competitive edge.

We are currently evaluating data on SP-102 from a pivotal Phase 3 CLEAR trial, which was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy in the proposed indication. The CLEAR clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial that enrolled 401 patients with sciatica at over 40 sites across the United States, with a primary objective to evaluate the analgesic effect on average leg pain (as measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale in the affected leg) following a single epidural injection of SP-102, compared to an intramuscular injection of placebo over four weeks. A full 6-months data analysis was completed in February 2022 and we announced final results from the study in March 2022, which results reflect achievement of primary and secondary endpoints. We believe these final results are supportive of a breakthrough therapy designation for sciatica that, in addition to the fast track designation, is expected to allow the FDA to further expedite the overall development program leading to market approval.

The Phase 3 CLEAR trial summary results, which results reflect achievement of primary and secondary endpoints, are as follows:

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SP-102 (SEMDEXA™), with 401 patients enrolled in the C.L.E.A.R. trial (Corticosteroid Lumbosacral Epidural Analgesia in Radiculopathy) experienced a rapid onset of pain relief, measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale of average daily pain in the affected leg, with improvement against placebo over the first 4 weeks, following a single transforaminal injection, LS Mean (SEM) difference -1.08 (0.17), with a p-value < 0.001.

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SP-102 (SEMDEXA™) showed continued reduction of pain beyond one month, and the median time to open-label repeat injection was 99 days (95% CI: 78, 129 days) according to a Kaplan-Meier estimation. By contrast, off-label injectable steroids typically provide pain relief for periods ranging from less than a week and up to one month, and then a repeat injection may be required.

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The key secondary endpoint of Oswestry Disability Index, the gold standard for measuring degree of disability and estimating quality of life, showed a 28% improvement at 4 weeks on SP-102 (SEMDEXA™) compared to baseline (minimal clinically meaningful improvement 8%-12%)15. The LS Mean (SEM) difference as compared to placebo was -6.28 (1.49), with a p-value < 0.001.

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There were no adverse events (“AEs”) of special interest reported, such as paraplegia, hematoma, or infection at the injection site, which events are associated with the off-label use of non-approved

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injectable steroid preparations. Of the 354 patients receiving at least a single injection of SP-102, there were 125 (35.3%) patients experiencing treatment emergent adverse events (“TEAEs”), with 32 (9.0%) patients experiencing treatment-related AEs, 16 (4.5%) patients experiencing medication-related AEs, 23 (6.5%) patients experiencing procedure-related AEs, four (1.1%) patients experiencing serious AEs, and one (0.3%) patients experiencing AEs related to early withdrawal. Of the 47 patients only receiving a single placebo injection (and no repeat injection of SP-102), there were 14 (29.8%) patients experiencing TEAEs with (i) two (4.3%) patients experiencing treatment-related AEs, (ii) two (4.3%) patients experiencing medication-related AEs, (iii) one (2.1%) patient experiencing procedure-related AEs, (iv) one (2.1%) patient experiencing serious AEs, (v) one (2.1%) patient experiencing AEs related to early withdrawal, and (vi) one (2.1%) patient death. TEAEs occurring in ≥ two percent of patients were headache (SP-102: 13 (6.4%), 17 events; placebo: 11 (5.5%), 11 events), injection site pain (SP-102: 4 (2.0%), four events; placebo: zero (0.0%), 0 events), upper respiratory tract infection (SP-102: two (1.0%), 2 events; placebo: four (2.0%) events), sinusitis (SP‑102: 4 (2.0%), four events; placebo zero (0.0%), 0 events) and hypertension (SP-102: four (2.0%), four events; placebo: one (0.5%), two events). The C.L.E.A.R trial also established the safety of repeat injections, as patients who experienced moderate-to-severe radicular pain between 4 and 23 weeks were allowed to receive open-label additional SP-102 (SEMDEXA™) injection. The safety analysis was comparable between treatment groups through 4, 12 and 24 weeks of study period.

Phase 3 SP-102 C.L.E.A.R Trial – Primary Endpoint

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SP-103

We are developing SP-103 to be a triple-strength, non-aqueous lidocaine topical system for the treatment of acute LBP. SP-103 leverages the same adhesive drug delivery formulation and manufacturing as ZTlido along with comparable backing material, perforated release liner and container-closure system. The increase in drug load is offset by a corresponding decrease in the adhesive diluent.

Acute LBP Market Overview

The safe and effective treatment of acute LBP represents a high unmet needs and creates large market opportunities. LBP affects about 70% of people in resource-rich countries at some point in their lives. Acute LBP can be self-limiting, however. One year after an initial episode, as many as 33% of people still have moderate-intensity pain and 15% have severe pain. Acute LBP has a high recurrence rate with 75% of those with a first episode having a recurrence. Although acute episodes may resolve completely, they may increase in severity and duration over time. Americans spent approximately $134.5 billion in 2016 on treating LBP and neck pain, which was the highest expenditure among 154 conditions studied by the Department of Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

Current Treatment Landscape and Limitations of Existing Treatments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2018, 28.0% of men and 31.6% of women aged 18 years old and older had lower back pain in the past three months. The percentage of women who had lower back pain increased as age increased. Among men, the percentage increased with age through age 74 years and then decreased. Women in the age groups 18 – 44, 45 – 64, and 75 years and older were more likely to have lower back pain in the past three months than were men in the same age groups, but percentages were similar between men and women in the age group 65-74 years. Although most patients recover quickly with minimal treatment, proper evaluation is imperative to identify rare cases of serious underlying pathology. Certain red flags should prompt aggressive treatment or referral to a spine specialist, whereas others are less concerning. Serious red flags include significant trauma related to age (i.e., injury related to a fall from a height or motor vehicle crash in a young patient, or from a minor fall or heavy lifting in a patient with osteoporosis or possible osteoporosis), major or progressive motor or sensory deficit, new-onset bowel or bladder incontinence or urinary retention, loss of anal sphincter tone, saddle anesthesia, history of cancer metastatic to bone and suspected spinal infection. Without clinical signs of serious pathology, diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing often are not required. Although there are numerous treatments for nonspecific acute LBP, most have little evidence of benefit. Patient education and medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen and muscle relaxants are beneficial.

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Our Solution

Our triple-strength SP-103 is an investigational, non-aqueous lidocaine topical system undergoing clinical development in acute LBP conditions. If approved, we believe that SP-103 could become the lidocaine topical product for acute LBP indications. All current uses of topical lidocaine products for LBP are off-label. This program builds on the learnings from ZTlido because both products share the same adhesive drug delivery formulation and manufacturing technology.

We are developing SP-103 to deliver a dose of lidocaine that is at least threefold higher than any approved lidocaine topical products (including the approved ZTlido, which has a drug load of 36 mg lidocaine). We manufacture SP-103 to have a drug load of 108 mg lidocaine in a similar adhesive formulation as ZTlido, along with comparable backing material, perforated release liner and container-closure system. SP-103 has demonstrated delivery of threefold the level of drug of ZTlido, and consequently delivers threefold the level of drug of Lidoderm and associated generics by extrapolation.

We believe SP-103, if successfully developed and approved, may be able to address the limitations of prescription lidocaine patches in treating acute LBP by delivering a higher dose of lidocaine to the application site, but with systemic exposure of drug remaining well below established safety thresholds. SP-103 has three times the drug load of ZTlido (108 mg versus 36 mg) in the adhesive system and can potentially deliver threefold the level of the drug within a targeted area, with the convenience of a single topical system. This level of dosage for SP-103 is comparable to the maximum approved daily dosage of ZTlido, or three topical systems for up to 12 hours during a 24-hour period. By contrast, delivering higher levels of drug with other lidocaine patches is encumbered by the underlying hydrogel technology that constrains the level of drug that can be loaded into the adhesive of those products. The level of drug product in such patches can be increased only with a thicker adhesive layer, which can result in a loss of adhesion performance and flexibility. Further, increasing product dimensions can allow delivery of the drug over a larger area, but does not increase drug delivery to a localized area under the topical system.

We believe the acute LBP market presents an attractive commercial opportunity due to the large patient population, lack of any approved drugs and high level of unmet medical need. We believe developing and commercializing a topical non-opioid product targeting this segment of the pain population represents a commercially attractive strategy.

We intend initially to evaluate SP-103 in a Phase 2 trial in subjects who have acute LBP. The study design is planned as an enriched-enrollment, randomized, double-blind, two-period cross-over, multicenter study of SP-103 and placebo in subjects with acute LBP. The study consists of a 7-day open-label run-in period where all subjects receive active treatment. Responders to treatment then will be randomized to blinded Treatment A, consisting of 30 days treatment with SP-103 or Treatment B, consisting of 30 days treatment with placebo patch with no lidocaine. Scilex initiated the Phase 2 trial in the second quarter of 2022.

SP-104

We are developing SP-104 for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release capsules is routinely used off-label to treat fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions such as complex regional pain.

Fibromyalgia Market Overview

Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States and an estimated 3% to 6% of the world population. While it is most prevalent in women, it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups. Fibromyalgia is the second most common disorder that rheumatologists encounter, seen in 15% of evaluated patients. Approximately 8% of patients cared for in primary care clinics have fibromyalgia. Prominent fibromyalgia researchers and specialists estimate the economic burden of fibromyalgia in the United States to be between $12 billion to $14 billion each year and the condition accounts for a loss of 1% to 2% of the national overall productivity.

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pharmaceutical product performance. This can lead to errors in dosing and challenges with titration. The commercial products and pharmacy-compounded products also allow for the immediate release of the drug in the stomach, which can lead to compliance challenges due to severe side effects. Common side effects for naltrexone include hyperalgesia, dysphoria, insomnia and anxiety. All these issues culminate into patient compliance issues and result in the eventual abandonment of an otherwise viable therapy to treat this debilitating disease.

Our SP-104 uses delayed burst release technology that bypasses the stomach and releases the drug in the gut (upper intestine). When taking SP-104 at night before bed, peak drug levels are achieved at night during sleep, allowing the patient to avoid conscious perception of hyperalgesia and other side effects. The combination of the delayed-release and administration at night may also maximize efficacy as most endorphin/enkephalin release is during sleep, which maximizes the product’s potential to elicit compensatory response.

We are committed to develop SP-104 for fibromyalgia. Phase 1 studies are to characterize the pharmacokinetic and safety profile of SP-104, and Scilex intends to initiate a Phase 2 study in the second half of 2022. If successful, we believe SP-104 can become a pivotal treatment for management of fibromyalgia, which represents a large commercial opportunity with high unmet demands.

Commercialization and Market Access

Sales & Marketing

We have built a robust and integrated commercial infrastructure using a dedicated sales force and sales management, marketing and managed care capabilities, to maximize the potential of our marketed product, ZTlido, and to commercialize our product candidates, if approved. We are focused on achieving accelerated sales growth and increased market uptake for ZTlido in the topical lidocaine product market, where we believe we have the only actively promoted product. Our dedicated 65-person sales force has broad experience in pain management and is exclusively focused on promoting ZTlido. Our sales representatives leverage their established relationships to call on over 10,000 target pain specialists, neurologists, select primary care providers and palliative care physicians who Scilex believes treat the majority of PHN patients. We believe these same call points provide treatment for the sciatica and acute LBP patients that could benefit from SEMDEXA and SP-103, if approved. Our sales representatives typically have over 10 years of experience in promoting a broad scope of pain management products that Scilex intends to leverage as our product candidates are commercialized.

As of December 31, 2021, ZTlido had gained approximately 9.0% market share of the lidocaine patch prescription market across the territories we cover in the United States. The total prescriptions of ZTlido for the year ended December 31, 2021 grew by more than 10% over the year ended December 31, 2020, according to Symphony Healthcare’s national prescription data. Our experienced sales representatives and managers are supported by our marketing team, whose members have successfully launched over 20 products with large pharmaceutical, biotechnology and specialty pharmaceutical companies. Our marketing team has developed a multi-channel marketing strategy to promote the continued uptake of ZTlido by highlighting its significantly improved adhesion and continuous pain relief throughout the 12-hour administration period. We are also promoting ZTlido with a marketing campaign that engages patients seeking relief for neuropathic pain associated with PHN through social media and medical and consumer journals. Further, our marketing function is supported by an experienced analytics team that leverages its experience in forecasting and analytics to draw insights from healthcare databases to inform our marketing strategy. As part of our broader commercial strategy, our marketing analytics team is conducting market research to support the launch of SP-102, SP-103 and SP-104, if any of these candidates is approved. We believe that our sales force, supporting commercial infrastructure and established relationships with our targeted physician audience will provide a strategic advantage in pursuing potential partnerships to commercialize other non-opioid pain management therapeutics.

Market Access

We have established a patient-centric market access function with robust capabilities across the market access continuum, including payor sales, contracting and marketing strategies, supplemental patient assistance programs and responsible drug pricing to support patients’ access to ZTlido. Our team of managed

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healthcare account executives has demonstrated experience in establishing products on formularies and have currently prioritized and targeted select payor accounts representing approximately 275 million of the over 300 million lives, with the remaining 25 million to be considered in the future. Currently, ZTlido is covered for over 190 million lives in the United States and coverage continues to improve. As of January 2021, we have secured coverage for ZTlido on Cigna HealthCare (commercial and Medicare plans), Express Scripts (commercial and Medicare plans), United Healthcare Commercial, Anthem BCBS, BCBS of Massachusetts, Louisiana and Kansas, Lifetime/Excellus BCBS, MedImpact, CareFirst, Select Health and Medicaid in California, Florida, Connecticut, Idaho, and North Dakota. We continue to negotiate coverage with large payors and pharmacy benefit managers in all books of business.

ZTlido Formulary Coverage — Over 90% of Lives Covered or In Negotiation

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We utilize an outside vendor to administer a patient assistance program directed at patients with commercial insurance or those paying out-of-pocket. With the copay assistance program, qualifying patients do not have to pay any copayment for their ZTlido prescription. We utilize an external vendor and train the sales force to work proactively with clinician office managers in completing required forms for prior authorization for ZTlido.

Clinical Development Overview

ZTlido

Clinical Trial Highlights

We have evaluated ZTlido in over 600 subjects in clinical trials to support marketing approval and promotional campaigns for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with PHN in the United States. Our studies sought to investigate the bioequivalence of ZTlido compared to Lidoderm, adhesion performance and the dermal safety and tolerability of ZTlido under a range of application times and settings. Based on these studies, we concluded that ZTlido:

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demonstrated bioequivalence to Lidoderm in study SCI-LIDO-PK-002A;

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showed greater than or equal to 90% adhesion in over 90% of the subjects at the end of the 12-hour administration period in study SCI-LIDO-ADH-001;

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showed superior adhesion to Lidoderm and Mylan’s generic lidocaine patch in studies SCI-LIDO-AHD-002 and SCI-LIDO-ADH-003;

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was not meaningfully impacted by heat or exercise in study SCI-LIDO-HEX-001;

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was able to be used under showering and bathing conditions in study SCI-LIDO-ADH-004; and

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did not show clinically meaningful dermal irritation in study SCI-LIDO-DERM-001.

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ZTlido Study Details

Pivotal Bioequivalence Study — SCI-LIDO-PK-002A

We conducted a comparative single-dose pharmacokinetic (“PK”) study between ZTlido and Lidoderm designed as a two-way cross-over in 54 healthy subjects. In this trial design, each subject received a single dose of three ZTlido or three Lidoderm patches followed by a washout period and the administration of the other product. The purpose of this study was to establish bioequivalence between the products, which was determined by the statistical comparability of Cmax and AUC as shown in the figure below.

This was considered the pivotal clinical trial for ZTlido, as it provided the pharmaceutical bridge between the two products and showed that ZTlido had comparable safety and efficacy to Lidoderm. As a result of successfully establishing the pharmaceutical bridge, no stand-alone clinical efficacy studies were required by the FDA to determine ZTlido’s analgesic effects for ZTlido’s approval.

Mean Lidocaine Plasma Concentration Time Profiles — Semilog Scale

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Pivotal Adhesion Study — SCI-LIDO-ADH-001

We conducted an open-label, single-treatment, single-period, single-application adhesion performance study in 54 healthy, human subjects to assess the adhesion performance of ZTlido over the 12-hour administration period of the product. The study also investigated whether ZTlido met an FDA established adhesion performance benchmark of greater than or equal to 90% adhesion in greater than or equal to 90% of subjects in the study at the end of the administration period. At the end of the 12-hour administration period, over 90% of the subjects (49 out of the 54 subjects) maintained greater than or equal to 90% adhesion, with no adverse events reported during the study.

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ZTlido Demonstrated Superior Adhesion Compared to Mylan’s Generic Lidocaine Patch

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PK and Adhesion Study under Exercise and Heat Conditions — SCI-LIDO-HEX-001

We conducted an open-label, randomized, three-treatment, three-sequence, three-period, cross-over, PK and adhesion performance study of three ZTlido topical systems applied to separate areas in 12 healthy, human subjects during physical exercise, exposure to heat and under normal conditions, respectively. The three treatment periods were as follows:

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Treatment A sought to assess the PK and adhesion performance of ZTlido under physical exercise conditions. In this treatment period, subjects were instructed to perform exercise for 30 minutes on a stationary bike achieving a heart rate of 108 beats per minute, with continuous heart monitoring during exercise. Subjects were instructed to perform exercise immediately after the application of the topical system and at 2.5, 5.5 and 8.5 hours following application of the topical system.

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Treatment B sought to assess the PK and adhesion performance of ZTlido under heat conditions. In this treatment period, a heating pad adjusted to the medium setting was applied for 20 minutes immediately after application of the topical system and at 8.5 hours following application of the topical system.

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Treatment C sought to assess the PK and adhesion performance of ZTlido under normal conditions. In this treatment period, topical systems were applied to the mid-lower back and worn for 12 hours.

In treatment A, adhesion and PK performance were not compromised by exercise, as reflected in the product label. In treatment B, heat had an effect on PK but had no effect on adhesion. In Treatment C,

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normal PKs were observed and greater than 90% of subjects showed greater than 90% adhesion. No meaningful irritation was observed across all treatments across all time points in any of the subjects.

The impact of heat and exercise on PK is presented in the figure below. It was observed that heat had an effect on Cmax, but the drug returned to normal levels after removal of heat and there was no clinically meaningful observed effect on AUC. Heat did not appear to have a deleterious or catastrophic effect on topical system performance, either as a dose-dump (i.e., immediate and complete release of all drug from the product), or as reduced drug delivery (i.e., much lower systemic exposure). There was no significant effect on PK observed with exercise when compared to subjects under normal conditions.

ZTlido Demonstrated Consistent* PK Performance under Exercise and Heat Conditions

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Defined as no clinically meaningful changes by meeting bioequivalence criteria

Dermal Sensitization and Irritation Study — SCI-LIDO-DERM-001

We conducted a provocative dermal sensitization and irritation human clinical trial, also referred to as a repeat insult topical system test, intended to elicit the worst-case dermal safety of ZTlido by extended wearing of the product over multiple days. In this trial, we compared the sensitization potential, and the overall irritation profiles of ZTlido and Lidoderm in 218 normal and healthy subjects. We used a 7-point scale where a score of 0 indicated no irritation and a score of 7 was considered a strong reaction spreading beyond the application site.

In this study, results showed that the adhesion quality of ZTlido did not compromise dermal safety. The study reported that ZTlido did not show potential for dermal sensitization and showed an overall benign irritation profile. Both ZTlido and Lidoderm had a mean irritation score well below 1, which is defined as barely perceptible erythema. This study allowed for the ZTlido label to adopt the same local tolerance language as labeled for Lidoderm.

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Photoallergy and Phototoxicity Studies — SCI-LIDO-PHOT0-001 and SCI-LIDO-PHOTO-002

We conducted a 6-week randomized study, SCI-LIDO-PHOTO-001, to evaluate the potential of ZTlido and its comparator, Lidoderm, to induce a photoallergic skin reaction in 54 healthy volunteers. In this study, we observed that ZTlido was not photoallergenic.

We conducted a 4-day, randomized study, SCI-LIDO-PHOTO-002, to evaluate the irritation potential of ZTlido and its comparator, Lidoderm, when application to skin is followed by light exposure in 32 healthy volunteers, using a phototoxicity patch test. In this study, we observed that ZTlido was not phototoxic.

Post-Approval Studies for ZTlido

Water Stress Study (Shower and Swimming) — SCI-LIDO-ADH-004

We conducted a single-dose study in 24 subjects to examine the adhesion and lidocaine delivery (pharmacokinetics) of ZTlido when it is exposed to two separate water stress conditions of (1) showering (10 minutes) and (2) swimming (15 minutes). The study showed that while some degree of product lifting was observed, the product could be pressed back down or reattached with no further diminished adhesion performance or drug delivery. This study led to a change in the product label indicating that patients may use the product while showering or bathing. This provides significant patient convenience as Lidoderm and the associated generics are labeled to avoid contact with water such as bathing, swimming or showering, as these products may not stick if they get wet. With ZTlido, patients can engage in these activities within the 12-hour administration period.

Investigator-Sponsored Studies

We plan to support several investigator-initiated research studies to evaluate the clinical benefits of using ZTlido in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, intercostal neuralgia and other possible indications.

SP-102 (SEMDEXA)

We recently conducted a Phase 3 pivotal study of SP-102. The Corticosteroid Lumbar Epidural Analgesia for Radiculopathy (“CLEAR”) study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial that enrolled 401 patients with sciatica to compare the epidural administration of SP-102 to placebo. We announced final results from this study in March 2022.

Clinical Trial Highlights

SP-102 has been evaluated in a number of preclinical studies and clinical trials as a potential treatment for sciatica. Key findings from the preclinical studies and clinical trials include:

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Repeat injections of SP-102 showed continued pain reduction with no unexpected adverse events based on preliminary results from the SP-102-03 study;

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SP-102 showed an extended local activity with epidural administration in the ES-1504 study;

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SP-102 showed an extended residence time and tolerability in the 1014-1512 and the 1014-2847, preclinical studies; and

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The introduction of SP-102 into blood vessels did not result in neurological complications in the UPD003-IS21 preclinical toxicology study.

SP-102 (SEMDEXA) Study Details

Phase 3 Pivotal Clinical Trial — CLEAR

We recently conducted a pivotal, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial, CLEAR, that enrolled 401 patients with sciatica at over 40 sites across the United States. The study includes an open-label extension where subjects will be followed for up to 24 weeks after treatment to evaluate the safety of administering SP-102 in a larger patient population. After week 4, subjects who met certain pain criteria

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received open-label SP-102 to investigate the safety of repeat injections and the duration of pain relief following injection. This well-controlled, randomized trial was designed to demonstrate evidence of the analgesic effect and safety of SP-102. The schematic of this Phase 3 trial is demonstrated in the flowchart below.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of SP-102 on average leg pain, measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (“NPRS”) following a single transforaminal injection. These results were compared to an intra-muscular injection of placebo over a four-week period. The secondary objectives of this study include (i) evaluation of the degree of disability over time as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index; (ii) characterization of the change of the subject’s radiculopathy symptoms and overall condition, using a combination of PainDETECT, modified Brief Pain Inventory, Clinical Global Impression of Change, and Patient Global Impression of Change and (iii) evaluation of the safety of a single and repeat SP-102 injections.

Schematic of CLEAR — SP-102 (SEMDEXA) Phase 3 Pivotal Trial

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Enrollment was completed in the second half of 2021. We announced final data from this study in March 2022. The Pivot Phase 3 trial has met the primary efficacy and key secondary efficacy endpoints:

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For the primary endpoint of change in average daily pain (as measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale) in the affected leg over four weeks following the initial injection, the LS Mean (SE) group difference of -1.08 (0.17) compared to placebo with a p-value less than 0.001.

•

The two key secondary endpoints assessing Oswestry Disability Index (“ODI”) and Time to open-label repeat injection have been demonstrated for SP-102. The LS Mean (SE) group difference in ODI compared to placebo at week 4 was -6.28 (1.49) with a p-value less than 0.001. A Cox proportional hazard model showed significantly longer duration of initial SP-102 (SEMDEXA) treatment compared to placebo Hazard Ratio (95% CI) 0.49 (0.36, 0.65), with a p-value less than 0.001.

Phase 2 Repeat Dose Study — SP-102-03

We conducted an open-label, single-arm, pharmacodynamics (“PD”) and safety study of repeat epidural injections of SP-102 in patients with sciatica. We conducted this study to characterize repeat dose PD with respect to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal suppression using plasma cortisol levels, white blood cell count and blood glucose levels.

The study enrolled 19 subjects, of which 15 received repeat SP-102 epidural injections 4 to 8 weeks after the initial injection. Four of the subjects did not experience recurrent pain and thus did not require a repeat injection. The daily average, current and worst pain in the affected leg and back showed continuous

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reduction throughout the 28-day observation period for both treatments. Based on a preliminary review of the results, SP-102 injections were generally well-tolerated and there were no new unexpected adverse events observed.

Mean Percentage Change in Sciatica-Related Leg Pain as Measured by NPRS

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Phase 1 Trial of SP-102 (SEMDEXA) Compared to Reference Listed Drug — ES-1504

We conducted an open-label, single-arm, two-period, fixed sequential-dose study to evaluate the PK, PD and safety of SP-102 when administered by epidural injection. SP-102 was compared to intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection in subjects with lumbosacral radiculopathy. There were 12 subjects enrolled in this study, all of whom received SP-102 followed by the intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection (Reference Listed Drug) administered one month later. A Reference Listed Drug is an approved drug product to which new versions are compared to show that they are bioequivalent. The purpose of this study was to establish the pharmaceutical bridge between SP-102 and the Reference Listed Drug. The Tmax observed with the administration of SP-102 was four hours, compared to 15 minutes observed with intravenous dexamethasone. The PD parameters and safety results of both products were similar, and SP-102 did not prolong cortisol suppression time. SP-102 also maintained analgesic effects throughout a one-month observation period.

The overall systemic exposure of dexamethasone was similar, whether administered as SP-102 or injected intravenously, with a mean AUCinf of 0.916 µg*h/mL (observed with SP-102) compared to 0.943 µg*h/mL (observed with intravenously-administered dexamethasone). Notably, there was a 16-fold increase in the time to maximum serum concentration (“Tmax”) following epidural injection of SP-102. The median Tmax was 4.00 hours for SP-102 compared to 0.25 hours for the comparison group. All 12 subjects with sciatica showed continuous reduction in back and leg pain during the one-month observation period following a single epidural injection of SP-102.

This study demonstrated that at an equivalent initial dose of dexamethasone, the systemic exposure to dexamethasone following epidural injection of SP-102 did not exceed the exposure following intravenous injection of the Reference Listed Drug. The PD effects, measured as white blood cell count, cortisol levels and glucose levels, as well as the safety profile, were similar between the two treatments. SP-102 injections were generally well-tolerated and did not result in new unexpected side effects.

Toxicology Studies — Study Nos. 1014-1512 and 1014-2847

We conducted PK and toxicology studies in two non-rodent animal species to assess SP-102 administered via epidural and intrathecal routes with single and multiple dose regimens. Pharmacokinetically, a prolonged increase in the active dexamethasone metabolite was consistent with the extended residence time of the

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viscous gel formulation of SP-102 at the site of injection. There were no new unexpected toxicology findings apart from well-characterized toxicity findings commonly observed with administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate.

Preclinical Toxicology Study — UPD003-IS21

We conducted a preclinical toxicology study designed to simulate the accidental introduction of epidural steroids into arterial blood vessels providing blood supply to the spinal cord, which is a major cause of neurological complications associated with current administration of suspension steroids containing particulates. A 2 mL (10 mg of dexamethasone) injection of SP-102 was injected over 1-2 minutes into the vertebral artery of large animal species.

Pre- and post-dose angiography showed no remarkable changes and all animals survived for approximately 24 hours until euthanasia. The veterinary animal health report and the pathology report concluded there were no vascular, spinal cord or brain injuries associated with injection into the vertebral artery of the animals.

Hydrodynamic Study — SP-PC002

We conducted a hydrodynamic study of SP-102 in non-rodent animal species, which showed that epidural administration of SP-102 demonstrated an increased local residence half-life and a decreased flow from the injection site.

Intravascular Injection Study — SEM-005

We conducted a study to evaluate the accidental intravascular injection of SP-102 into the vertebral artery of non-rodent animals. There were no adverse clinical signs associated with the accidental intra-arterial injection of SP-102 following a 24-hour survival period.

SP-103 (lidocaine topical system) 5.4%

SP-103 is an investigational, non-aqueous lidocaine topical system undergoing clinical development in acute LBP. As a higher strength topical lidocaine system, SP-103 will build on the learnings from ZTlido because both products share the same adhesive drug delivery formulation and manufacturing technology. The clinical program involves evaluating the safety and efficacy of SP-103 for the treatment of acute LBP. A Phase 1 study was completed that demonstrated bioequivalent pharmacokinetics between the administration of a single SP-103 and the administration of three commercial ZTlido. The study also showed linear kinetics among multiple applications of SP-103 (i.e., 1, 2 or 3 patches) over a 12-hour administration period. Adhesion performance was assessed and found to be comparable between SP-103 and ZTlido.

Specifically, we plan to evaluate SP-103 in the following studies:

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SP-103-02 is a Phase 2 study of SP-103 in subjects with acute LBP. The study design is planned as an enriched-enrollment, randomized, double-blind, two-period, cross-over, multicenter study of SP-103 versus placebo. The study is expected to consist of a 7-day open-label run-in period where all subjects receive active treatment. Responders to treatment will then be randomized to receive blinded treatment of either SP-103 or placebo. This study will inform on the pivotal Phase 3 study design to support market approval.

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In addition to a pivotal Phase 3 program, Scilex intends to perform a 3-day PK study of SP-103, an adhesion performance study of SP-103 and an investigational study to evaluate the effects of heat and exercise on the PK and adhesion of SP-103 to support the NDA submission.

The Phase 2 trial of SP-103 was initiated in the second quarter of 2022.

SP-104 (4.5mg, low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release capsules)

Two Phase 1 trials have been completed for SP-104 at investigative sites in New Zealand:

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SP-104-01 is a food effect and bridging pharmacokinetic study comparing SP-104 to Naltrexone HCL Tablets conducted on approximately 18 healthy adult subjects. The study is designed to be an

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open-label, three-period, three-treatment, randomized study to characterize the PK and safety and tolerability of SP-104 under fasting and fed conditions. Subjects are randomly administered a single dose of one of three treatments and followed for PK and safety for a period of time followed by a washout period before receiving one of the other treatments. All subjects receive all three treatments. The study characterize the single-dose clinical studies and ultimately the commercial label. The study also serves as a “pharmaceutical bridge” between SP-104 and the commercial reference listed drug (the “RLD”) (Naltrexone HCI tablets, USP 50 mg) to support the eventual Section 505(b)(2) NDA. Assuming that the rate and extent of drug exposure for SP-104 will be lower than that observed for the RLD, this study allows Scilex to rely upon the FDA’s findings of safety for the RLD instead of having to perform extensive nonclinical animal safety toxicology studies and establish an extensive clinical safety database. Scilex’s development program can focus on establishing efficiacy of SP-104 in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

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SP-104-02 is a Phase 1 study of SP-104 conducted on approximately 52 healthy human subjects. The study is designed to be a double-blind, randomized, two-period, two-treatment crossover study to evaluate the safety of SP-104, compared to immediate release naltrexone capsules. The primary purpose of the study is to test the hypothesis that, when taken at night, the delayed release of 4.5 mg Naltrexone mitigates against adverse events known for the drug and could affect patient compliance in maintaining treatment for their fibromyalgia. In a small (n=52) cross-over trial in healthy volunteers comparing SP-104 (naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release 4.5 mg) to naltrexone hydrochloride immediate release 4.5 mg (the “compared drug”), there were no serious adverse effects, no AEs leading to discontinuation, no meaningful differences in physical examinations, vital signs, or laboratory parameters between treatments, no severe AEs for either treatment. Of the 52 patients receiving at least a single injection of SP-104, there were 21 (40%) patients experiencing at least one TEAE, 14 (27%) patients experiencing at least one treatment-related TEAE, 12 (23%) patients experiencing at least one treatment-related TEAE within 72 hours after first administration of SP-104. Notable AEs of special interest were nausea and headache within 72 hours after first administration of SP-104. SP-104 administered at night before bed resulted in a lower number of subjects with at least one AE (p = 0.0414), and an even lower number of subjects with at least one AE within 72 hours after the first administration of SP-140 when compared to the compared drug. There was a lower number of subjects with AEs of special interest within 72 hours after administration of SP-104 (n=9; 12 events) versus the compared drug (n=15; 20 events). Notable AEs of special interest observed within 72 hours after administration of the applicable drug are nausea (SP-104: n=0; the compared drug: n=3) and headache (SP-104: n=6; the compared drug: n=12). The study randomized subjects to one of two treatments followed by a washout period and then receipt of the other treatment, which allows all subjects to act as their own control. The study will support intellectual property, inform on clinical study design and contribute to safety characterization to support market applications.

We completed both studies in the second quarter of 2022. We plan to use data collected from these studies to support an Investigational New Drug application with the FDA, which is expected to enable further clinical development and initiation of a planned multi-center placebo-controlled registration trial in the field of fibromyalgia. The registration trial is designed to be a Phase 3, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicenter study that meets the regulatory requirements of an “adequate and well-controlled” study to establish the efficacy of SP-104 in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Depending on the outcomes, this registration trial alone may be efficient in supporting market approval of SP-104 or as an additional Phase 3 study may be required.

Medical Affairs

Our Medical Affairs team includes in-house medical expertise, health economics and third-party payor support. The Medical Affairs team works with our clinical team to identify sites for clinical trials, support the investigator teams and develop publication plans for clinical and real-world ZTlido data and our product candidates. Our Medical Affairs team also works with Key Opinion Leaders, professional societies and patient advocacy groups to educate on and support the appropriate use of pain therapeutics, including topical pain products. Further, our Medical Affairs team provides our sales organization with therapeutic knowledge and product training. The Medical Affairs team and Promotional Review Committee review all promotional materials for scientific accuracy. Medical Affairs team also develops lifecycle planning and works

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with our clinical team to determine registration or supportive studies, oversee post-approval studies and support investigator-sponsored trials.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

We currently contract with third parties for the manufacture, assembly, testing, packaging, storage and distribution of our product. Our technical team has extensive pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, analytical, quality and distribution experience and is qualified and capable of managing manufacturing and supply chain operations. Our Quality System, Standard Operating Procedures and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”) comply with cGMP and regulatory requirements. We selected our CMOs for specific competencies having met our development, manufacturing, quality and the FDA regulatory requirements. These CMOs manufacture our clinical supplies and commercial batches. We currently have no plans to build our own manufacturing or distribution infrastructure.

ZTlido

ZTlido is a single-layer, drug-in-adhesive topical delivery system comprised of an adhesive material containing 36 mg lidocaine, which is applied to a pliable nonwoven cloth backing and covered with a polyethylene terephthalate film release liner. ZTlido is commercially manufactured for us by Oishi Koseido Co., Ltd. (“Oishi”) in Japan. We have exclusive worldwide rights to Oishi’s proprietary formulation and manufacturing technologies except with respect to Japan. ZTlido is manufactured using premixing and hot-melt mixing of various excipients and lidocaine, followed by cGMP compliant coating, lining, cutting and filling processes. ZTlido is packaged as a carton of 30 topical systems, into individual child-resistant envelopes. See the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Business of Scilex — Material Agreements — Itochu and Oishi Product Development Agreement” and “Business — Material Agreements — Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement” for additional information regarding the manufacturing and supply chain of ZTlido.

Once production is complete, commercial product shipments are sent to the United States, where title is then transferred to our exclusive third-party logistics distribution provider, Cardinal Health. Cardinal Health ships to temperature-controlled customer wholesale distribution centers, which are generally able to deliver finished product to retail pharmacies on the same day, or within 24 hours. We currently contract with multiple pharmaceutical wholesalers throughout the United States, including McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen, which are managed by Cardinal Health. Wholesalers have agreements in place that provide us with access to large retail chains, including CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Walmart, as well as independent pharmacies. In addition to all order fulfillment, Cardinal Health performs the following services on our behalf: customer service, credit checks, invoicing, chargebacks, wholesaler fee for service, government reporting, customer returns, accounts receivable, inventory control, product security (DSCSA serialization) inquiries and recall assistance. We generate revenue from product sales of ZTlido to Cardinal Health. In the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Cardinal Health was our only customer and sales to Cardinal Health represented all of our net revenue.

As we continue to expand the commercialization of ZTlido, we plan to sell directly to wholesalers and pharmacies by the second quarter of 2022. We currently hold state wholesaler licenses in many jurisdictions in the United States and have applied for licenses in the few remaining jurisdictions in which licenses are required. Upon receiving all necessary wholesaler licenses, we expect to commence selling directly to our main wholesaler customers as well as pharmacies. We plan to discontinue our use of “title model” services provided by Cardinal Health afterwards, but expect that Cardinal Health will continue to perform other third-party logistics services for us.

SP-102 (SEMDEXA)

SP-102 is a Phase 3 sterile dexamethasone sodium phosphate injectable viscous gel drug product containing dexamethasone sodium phosphate equivalent to 10 mg dexamethasone in a pre-filled glass syringe with a 2 mL deliverable volume. SP-102 also contains sodium hyaluronate, which is a novel, biocompatible, viscosity-enhancing excipient and is listed in the European Pharmacopeia. We have an exclusive supply agreement for sodium hyaluronate for SP-102 from the manufacturer and supplier.

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SP-102 is manufactured by a single-source manufacturer, which supports the clinical development, including the completed Phase 3 clinical trial of SP-102. In March 2022, we announced final results of the Phase 3 clinical trial, satisfying the primary efficacy and key secondary efficacy endpoints. The manufacturing process is proprietary and includes trade secrets. We plan to engage our existing contract manufacturer, Lifecore, for the commercial production of SP-102, if approved. We plan to use the biocompatible proprietary excipient supplied by Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC (“Sanofi”) sodium hyaluronate, pursuant to the Genzyme Supply Agreement, and engage Sanofi for commercial supply of dexamethasone sodium phosphate for SP-102, if approved. See the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Business of Scilex — Material Agreements — Genzyme Supply Agreement” and “Business of Scilex — Material Agreements — Lifecore Master Services Agreement” for additional information regarding the manufacturing and supply of the proprietary excipient and contact manufacturing of SP-102 product, respectively.

SP-103

SP-103 contains 5.4% lidocaine (108 mg lidocaine) and is manufactured for clinical supply by Oishi, using the same manufacturing processes as used for ZTlido. If our Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials are successful, we plan to submit the SP-103 manufacturing protocols in a supplemental new drug application.

SP-104

We are developing SP-104, a novel low-dose, naltrexone hydrochloride delayed release formulation for treating fibromyalgia. SP-104 is 4.5 mg, low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed release capsule product in clinical development, currently undergoing Phase 1 studies. It is manufactured by a contract manufacturer, Tulex, located in Cranbury, NJ.

Competition

Our industry is highly competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological change. The large size and expanding scope of the pain management market makes it an attractive therapeutic area for biopharmaceutical businesses. Our potential competitors include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and specialty pharmaceutical companies. Many of these companies have drug pipelines, readily available capital, and established research and development organizations.

ZTlido and our product candidate, SP-103, if approved, face and will likely face competition from prescription, generic, and OTC topical lidocaine patches, including Lidoderm and generic lidocaine patches manufactured by Teva, Mylan and Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. Additionally, SP-103, if approved, will likely compete with various opioid pain medications, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants and anticonvulsants, particularly as we seek approval for the treatment of acute LBP.

SP-102, if approved, has the potential to become the first FDA-approved epidural steroid product for the treatment of sciatica. While there are currently no FDA-approved ESIs indicated for the treatment of sciatica, Scilex is aware of certain non-steroid product candidates in development. SP-102, if approved, will compete with various opioid pain medications, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and surgical procedures. Procedures may include nerve blocks and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulations. We may also face indirect competition from the off-label and unapproved use of branded and generic injectable steroids.

We expect that the market will become increasingly competitive in the future. Many of our competitors, either alone or together with their collaborative partners, operate larger research and development programs and have substantially greater financial resources than we do, as well as significantly greater experience in: developing product candidates and technologies, undertaking preclinical studies and clinical trials, obtaining the FDA and other regulatory approvals of product candidates, formulating and manufacturing product candidates and launching, marketing and selling product candidates.

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The key competitive factors affecting the success of ZTlido, SP-102, SP-103 and SP-104 are likely to be their efficacy, durability, safety, price and the availability of reimbursement from government and other third-party payors.

Material Agreements

Itochu and Oishi Product Development Agreement

We are party to the Product Development Agreement with Oishi Koseido Co., Ltd. (“Oishi”) and Itochu Chemical Frontier Corporation (“Itochu,” and together with Oishi, the “Developers”). Pursuant to the Product Development Agreement, the Developers agreed to develop, exclusively for us, lidocaine tape products, including ZTlido and SP-103 (the “Products”). Pursuant to the Product Development Agreement, we obtained the rights to market, sell and distribute the Products in global markets outside of Japan.

In carrying out the development responsibilities, the Developers agreed to, among other things, (1) source and provide the active pharmaceutical ingredient for the Products for manufacturing, (2) develop a stable final dosage form of the Products suitable for regulatory approvals, (3) conduct product development activities necessary to support the filing of applications for regulatory approvals for the Products and (4) conduct manufacturing scale-up activities and preclinical studies for the Products. We are responsible for, among other things, (a) conducting all pivotal human clinical trials for the Products, (b) completing all regulatory filings, correspondence and meetings with the FDA or other applicable governmental authorities with respect to the Products and (c) commercially launching the Products. We maintain the ultimate responsibility and decision-making control with regard to the marketing and pricing of the Products.

The parties agreed to cooperate in good faith to determine whether to seek or maintain patent protection with respect to the Products, the active pharmaceutical ingredient, any associated method of use, method of manufacturing, or any other invention that could reasonably be expected to affect the commercialization or value of the Products. The Developers have the first right to pursue patent protection for any invention by them. All parties will jointly agree on the appointment of the patent representatives in each country outside of Japan.

Until the expiration or termination of the Product Development Agreement, the Developers granted us an exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, worldwide license (except with respect to Japan) under its current and future intellectual property rights relating to the Products and the lidocaine in such Products. As consideration for the Developers’ development obligations under the Product Development Agreement, we agreed to pay a contingent quarterly royalty between 25% and 35% to the Developers based on the net quarterly profits of the Products. In the event that the net profits of any of the first four calendar quarters after the commercial launch equals a negative amount (a “Net Loss”), we are allowed to carry over such Net

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Loss to apply against all future calendar quarters until such Net Loss is covered, all calculated in accordance with GAAP. Under the Product Development Agreement, if our total net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 are equal to or less than five percent of our net sales of ZTlido and SP-103 for a period of four or more consecutive quarters, the Developers have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and the Commercial Supply Agreement. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex’s net profits for ZTlido and SP-103 have not exceeded five percent of net sales. Accordingly, Oishi and Itochu have the right to terminate the Product Development Agreement and Commercial Supply Agreement. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, neither Oishi nor Itochu has exercised its right of termination. Additionally, if we receive any licensing fees from any third-party sublicensees, we are obligated to pay the same proportions of such licensing fee to the Developers.

The current term of the Product Development Agreement will continue until October 2, 2028, which is the 10th anniversary of the first commercial sale of ZTlido. Afterwards, the agreement will renew automatically for subsequent successive one-year renewal periods unless we or the Developers terminate it upon six-month written notice. In addition, we or the Developers may terminate the Product Development Agreement if (1) the other party is in material breach of the agreement and the breach is not curable, or if the breach is curable and the breaching party has not cured such material breach within 180 days after notice requesting to cure; (2) the FDA determines that the formulation of the Products would not be eligible for FDA approval in the absence of efficacy studies, and the Developers are unable to address the efficacy study requirements despite good faith efforts; (3) the market conditions are such that (a) our total net profits of the Products are equal to or less than five percent of our net sales of the Products for a period of four or more consecutive quarters, or (b) the Products’ economic viability is affected significantly as evidenced by documentation and substantial information by any external circumstances deemed detrimental to all parties as agreed to by us and the Developers, and the parties are unable to resolve the concerns under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) after 30 days of good-faith discussion; (4) the parties fail to reach mutual agreement as to who will conduct the clinical studies and how the costs will be allocated; or (5) we or either one of the Developers are bankrupt or make assignment for the benefit of creditors. Additionally, we may terminate the Product Development Agreement if (i) any of the pivotal human clinical trials for any of the Products fail, or (ii) the FDA issues a “Refusal to File” for any of the Products’ regulatory approval application and, after reasonable consultation with the Developers, we believe that it is commercially unreasonable to re-file. The Developers may terminate the Product Development Agreement if we fail to file for regulatory approval for any of the Products within three months of the date on which all required components of the regulatory approval application are received by us.

Under the Product Development Agreement, we and the Developers have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to indemnify each other against any third-party liabilities arising out of (1) any breach of our respective representations, warranties or obligations under the Product Development Agreement, (2) any failure by either of us to comply with all applicable laws, or (3) our respective negligence or willful misconduct.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Product Development Agreement and its amendments in the forms filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the form of the agreement and its amendments for a complete understanding of all of their respective terms.

Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement

Effective February 16, 2017, Scilex Pharma entered into the Commercial Supply Agreement with Itochu and Oishi. Pursuant to the Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement, Oishi agreed to manufacture, store, handle and perform quality control testing of the Products (as defined in the Product Development Agreement) at its facility in Japan. Itochu agreed to purchase Products from Oishi and handle the shipping of the Products. Both Oishi and Itochu agreed to provide us with certain technical support regarding the Products as reasonably requested by us, including but not limited to analytical test methods, method development, physical and chemical properties, and use of the Products.

Under the Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement, we pay per item transfer prices for ZTlido, ZTlido professional samples and ZTlido placebo samples, in each case subject to certain minimum order quantities. We are required to provide a 12-month rolling purchase forecast of the estimated quantities of the Products in writing on a monthly basis. Oishi is required to promptly notify us and Itochu if it lacks

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the capacity to meet the forecast. All Products ordered by us will be in the form of a firm written purchase order. During the year ended December 31, 2020, under the Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement, we purchased inventory in the amount of $0.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we purchased inventory in the amount of approximately $5.7 million. The significant increase in inventory purchased was largely due to an excess of in stock inventory in fiscal year 2020 that was sold throughout fiscal year 2020 and the early part of fiscal year 2021.

The Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement will remain in effect until the termination of the Product Development Agreement. Additionally, either we or the Developers may terminate the Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement (1) if the other party is in material breach of the agreement and the breach is not substantially cured within 60 days after receiving written notice specifying the nature of the breach, or (2) in the event of any of the parties’ insolvency, bankruptcy or assignment for the benefit of creditors. Any third-party claim arising out of a breach by a party of any representation, warranty or obligation under the Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement, or a failure by a party to comply with applicable laws, or the negligence or willful misconduct of a party, will be subject to and governed by the Product Development Agreement.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Itochu and Oishi Commercial Supply Agreement and its amendments in the forms filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the form of the agreement and its amendments for a complete understanding of all of their respective terms.

Genzyme Supply Agreement

On December 17, 2015, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Semnur, we entered into the Genzyme Supply Agreement with Genzyme, an affiliate of Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC. Pursuant to the Genzyme Supply Agreement, Genzyme agreed to produce and provide sodium hyaluronate, one of the excipients for SEMDEXA, and we agreed to purchase 100% of our clinical and commercial requirements for sodium hyaluronate in specified territories, including the United States and all countries of the European Union (“EU), exclusively from Genzyme.

Pursuant to the Genzyme Supply Agreement, we agreed to pay a per gram price for clinical supply of sodium hyaluronate. For commercial supply, the price will depend on the quantity of order. The pricing for both the clinical supply and the commercial supply of sodium hyaluronate is subject to readjustments each year on January 1, provided that in no case will the price be increased by more than 5% each year.

The Genzyme Supply Agreement provides for a five year exclusivity period in favor of us and will remain in effect until 10 years after the effective date unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms thereof, with automatic renewal for additional five year periods (on an exclusive basis), if the respective requirements for exclusivity are met by us as set forth therein, and for additional two-year periods thereafter unless either party gives notice of a termination not less than 18 months prior to the expiration of the then-current term. Either party may terminate the Genzyme Supply Agreement if (1) the other party is in material breach of the agreement and fails to cure within 30 days, or (2) if the development of SEMDEXA is ceased or we do not file for regulatory approval for SEMDEXA by January 1, 2020. Additionally, Genzyme may terminate the Genzyme Supply Agreement if it decides to discontinue manufacturing the product at its facility for economic or strategic reasons and provides us with 24 months’ notice. We did not file for regulatory approval for SEMDEXA by January 1, 2020 and we are only aware of a limited number of suppliers of the excipient. Although Genzyme has not exercised its right of termination to date, in the event that it decides to do so, we may not be able to find an alternative supplier of sodium hyaluronate on commercially reasonable terms.

Under the Genzyme Supply Agreement, we and Genzyme have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to indemnify each other against any third-party liabilities arising out of (1) any material breach of our respective representations, warranties and obligations thereunder, or (2) our respective gross negligence or willful misconduct. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify Genzyme against any third-party liabilities arising out of the development, manufacture, storage, handling, use, marketing, distribution, offer for sale, sale, promotion or other commercialization of sodium hyaluronate by us.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Genzyme Supply Agreement in the form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the form of the agreement for a complete understanding of all of its terms.

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Lifecore Master Services Agreement

On January 27, 2017, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Semnur, we entered into the Lifecore Master Services Agreement. Pursuant to the Lifecore Master Services Agreement, Lifecore is responsible for clinical trial material manufacturing and development services for SEMDEXA as set forth in each separate statement of work (each a “Lifecore Statement of Work”).

The parties entered into a Lifecore Statement of Work on January 27, 2017, pursuant to which Lifecore agreed to provide, among other things, (1) project management support, (2) development services, (3) clinical trial materials, and (4) stability studies. We paid Lifecore for the development and clinical trial material manufacturing services, which was invoiced at the completion of each service.

For the purposes of Lifecore’s development and clinical trial material manufacturing obligations, we granted Lifecore a nonexclusive, worldwide and royalty-free license under our owned or controlled intellectual property rights necessary to manufacture SEMDEXA, without additional right, title or interest in our intellectual property.

The Lifecore Master Services Agreement expires on December 31, 2022, unless the parties negotiate and execute a renewal of the agreement. Either party may terminate the Lifecore Master Services Agreement (1) if the other party is in material breach of the agreement and fails to cure such breach within 30 days of written notice, subject to certain exceptions; or (2) immediately upon written notice to the other party if the other party (a) becomes insolvent, (b) ceases to function as a going concern, (c) is convicted of or pleads guilty to a charge of violating any law relating to either party’s business, or (d) engages in any act which materially impairs goodwill associated with SEMDEXA or materially impairs the terminating party’s trademark or trade name. In addition, Lifecore may terminate the agreement if (i) we fail to pay past due invoices upon 30 days’ written notice, or (ii) we reject or fail to respond to a major change proposed by Lifecore that does not change Semnur’s written and approved acceptance criteria in its product specifications.

The Lifecore Master Services Agreement contains customary reciprocal indemnification obligations for Lifecore and Semnur.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Lifecore Master Services Agreement and the amendment thereto in the forms filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the form of the agreement and its amendment for a complete understanding of all of their respective terms.

Semnur Merger Agreement

On March 18, 2019, Scilex acquired Semnur pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Semnur (as amended, the “Semnur Merger Agreement”), Sigma Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Scilex (“Sigma Merger Sub”), Fortis Advisors LLC, solely as representative of the holders of Semnur equity (the “Semnur Equityholders’ Representative”), and for limited purposes, Sorrento. Pursuant to the Semnur Merger Agreement, Sigma Merger Sub merged with and into Semnur (the “Semnur Merger”), with Semnur surviving as Scilex’s wholly owned subsidiary.

In connection with transactions contemplated by the Semnur Merger Agreement, Sorrento and each of the other holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of Scilex Pharma, contributed each share of Scilex Pharma capital stock it owned to Scilex in exchange for one share of Scilex Common Stock (the “Contribution”). As a result of the Contribution, and prior to the consummation of the Semnur Merger, Scilex Pharma became a wholly owned subsidiary of Scilex and Sorrento became the owner of approximately 77% of Scilex’s issued and outstanding capital stock. As a result of the Semnur Merger, Scilex Pharma and Semnur became wholly owned subsidiaries of Scilex.

At the closing of the Semnur Merger, Scilex issued to the holders of Semnur’s capital stock (the “Semnur Equityholders”) and options to purchase Semnur’s common stock, upfront consideration with a value of $70.0 million. The upfront consideration was comprised of the following: (i) a cash payment of approximately $15.0 million, and (ii) $55.0 million of shares of Scilex Common Stock (47,039,315 shares issued and 352,972 shares issuable, valued at $1.16 per share) (the “Stock Consideration”). A portion of the cash consideration otherwise payable to the Semnur Equityholders was set aside for expenses incurred

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by the Semnur Equityholders’ Representative, and 4,749,095 shares of Scilex Common Stock otherwise issuable to Semnur Equityholders were placed in escrow with a third party as security for the indemnification obligations of the Semnur Equityholders under the Semnur Merger Agreement. The expense fund and escrow have since been released per the terms of the escrow agreement. The Semnur Equityholders that received the Stock Consideration were required to sign an exchange and registration rights agreement with Scilex, which is further described below. Following the issuance of the Stock Consideration, Sorrento ownership in Scilex was diluted to approximately 58% of Scilex’s issued and outstanding capital stock.

Pursuant to the Semnur Merger Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein, Scilex also agreed to pay the Semnur Equityholders up to $280.0 million in aggregate contingent cash consideration based on the achievement of certain milestones, comprised of a $40.0 million payment that will be due upon obtaining the first approval of a NDA of a Semnur product by the FDA and additional payments that will be due upon the achievement of certain amounts of net sales of Semnur products, as follows: (i) a $20.0 million payment upon the achievement of $100.0 million in cumulative net sales of a Semnur product, (ii) a $20.0 million payment upon the achievement of $250.0 million in cumulative net sales of a Semnur product, (iii) a $50.0 million payment upon the achievement of $500.0 million in cumulative net sales of a Semnur product, and (iv) a $150.0 million payment upon the achievement of $750.0 million in cumulative net sales of a Semnur product. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, none of the foregoing payments have been triggered.

The Semnur Merger Agreement also provided that following the consummation of Scilex’s first bona fide equity financing with one or more third-party financing sources on an arms’ length basis with gross proceeds to Scilex of at least $40.0 million, certain of the former Semnur optionholders will be paid cash in lieu of: (i) the 352,972 shares of Scilex Common Stock otherwise issuable to such former Semnur optionholders pursuant to the Semnur Merger Agreement, and (ii) any shares that would otherwise be issued to such former Semnur optionholders upon release of shares held in escrow pursuant to the Semnur Merger Agreement, with such shares in each case valued at $1.16 per share. The Semnur optionholders subsequently agreed, under the terms of the Exchange Agreement (as defined and described below) to forego the foregoing right to any such payment in exchange for the right to participate in the Share Exchange (as defined below).

In March 2019, the Semnur Equityholders that received the Stock Consideration were required to sign an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement with Scilex (as amended, the “Exchange Agreement”). Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein, if within 18 months following the closing of the Semnur Merger, 100% of the outstanding equity of Scilex had not been acquired by a third party or Scilex had not entered into a definitive agreement with respect to, or otherwise consummated, a firmly underwritten offering of Scilex capital stock on a major stock exchange that met certain requirements, then holders of the Stock Consideration could collectively elect to exchange, during the 60-day period commencing the date that was the 18 month anniversary of the closing of the Semnur Merger (the “Share Exchange”), the Stock Consideration for shares of Sorrento’s common stock with a value of $55.0 million based on a price per share of Sorrento’s common stock equal to the greater of (a) the 30-day trailing volume weighted average price of one share of Sorrento’s common stock as reported on Nasdaq as of the consummation of the Share Exchange and (b) $5.55 (subject to adjustment for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction) (the “Exchange Price”). Pursuant to an amendment to the Exchange Agreement entered into by Sorrento and the Semnur Equityholders’ Representative on September 28, 2020, on October 9, 2020, Sorrento paid $55.0 million in cash to the Semnur Equityholders in lieu of issuing $55.0 million of shares of Sorrento’s common stock at the Exchange Price.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Semnur Merger Agreement (including the amendment thereto) in the forms filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the Semnur Merger Agreement (including the amendment thereto) for a complete understanding of all of their respective terms.

Aardvark Asset Purchase Agreement

In April 2021, Sorrento entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Aardvark Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. (“Aardvark”), pursuant to which, among other things,

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Sorrento acquired Aardvark’s Delayed Burst Release Low Dose Naltrexone (DBR-LDN) asset and intellectual property rights, for the treatment of chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic post-COVID syndrome (collectively, the “SP-104 Assets”), which includes a Statement of Work dated November 18, 2020 (the “Tulex Statement of Work”), pursuant to which Tulex agreed to, among other things, develop, test and manufacture clinical supplies of SP-104 for Sorrento.

Subsequent to the acquisition, Sorrento designated Scilex to lead all development efforts related to SP-104 and on May 12, 2022, Scilex and Sorrento entered into a bill of sale and assignment and assumption agreement (the “Bill of Sale”), pursuant to which Sorrento sold, conveyed, assigned and transferred to Scilex all of its rights, title and interest in and to the SP-104 Assets (including PCT/US2021/053645 and all patents and patent applications that claim priority rights thereto) and Scilex assumed all of Sorrento’s rights, liabilities and obligations under the Aardvark Asset Purchase Agreement (the “SP-104 Acquisition”).

As consideration for the SP-104 Acquisition, Scilex issued a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 to Sorrento (the “Promissory Note”). The Promissory Note matures seven years from the date of issuance and bears interest at the rate equal to the lesser of (a) 2.66% simple interest per annum and (b) the maximum interest rate permitted under law. The Promissory Note is payable in cash, shares of Scilex common stock (any shares so issued, the “Consideration Shares”) or any combination thereof, at Scilex’s sole discretion, and may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without penalty. Scilex also agreed to file with the SEC, a resale registration statement, relating to the resale by Sorrento of any Consideration Shares that may be issued to Sorrento, within 60 days of the issuance of such Consideration Shares.

As the successor to the Aardvark Asset Purchase Agreement, Scilex is obligated to pay Aardvark (i) $3,000,000, upon initial approval by the FDA of a new drug application for the LDN Formulation (as defined in the Aardvark Asset Purchase Agreement) (which amount may be paid in shares of Scilex common stock or cash, in Scilex’s sole discretion) (the “Development Milestone Payment”) and (ii) $20,000,000, in cash, upon achievement of certain net sales by Scilex of a commercial product that uses the LDN Formulation (the “Commercial Product”). Scilex will also pay Aardvark certain royalties in the single digits based on percentages of annual net sales by Scilex of a commercial product that uses the LDN Formulation. The royalty percentage is subject to reduction in certain circumstances. Royalties are due for so long as Commercial Product is covered by a valid patent in the country of sale or for ten years following the first commercial sale of the Commercial Product, whichever is longer. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus none of the foregoing payments have been triggered.

In connection with its acquisition of the SP-104 Assets, Scilex has agreed that if it issues any shares of Scilex common stock in respect of the Development Milestone Payment, Scilex will prepare and file one or more registration statements with the SEC for the purpose of registering for resale such shares and is required to file such registration statement with the SEC within 60 days following the date on which any such shares are issued.

Tien-Li Lee, MD, a member of the board of directors of Scilex, is the founder, chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of Aardvark.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Aardvark Asset Purchase Agreement, Bill of Sale and Promissory Note in the forms filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the forms of these agreements for a complete understanding of all of their respective terms.

Tulex Master Services Agreement

As described above, in connection with the SP-104 Acquisition, Scilex acquired the Tulex Statement of Work, pursuant to which Tulex, among other things, develops, tests and manufactures clinical supplies of SP-104 for Scilex. The Tulex Statement of Work is governed by the terms of a master services agreement (the “Tulex Master Services Agreement”). The Tulex Master Services Agreement was novated to Scilex on June 15, 2022 and will remain in effect until five years after the effective date, unless terminated early by either party. Either party may terminate the Tulex Master Services Agreement or a Tulex Statement of Work by written notice (1) if the other party is in material breach of the agreement or a Tulex Statement of Work and fails to cure such breach within 15 days after receipt of notice of such breach (or such other time

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period expressly stated in the applicable Tulex Statement of Work) or (2) in the event of the other party’s insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation or receivership, or a failure to remove any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation or receivership proceedings within ten days from the date of institution of such proceedings. In addition, we may terminate the agreement or any Tulex Statement of Work (1) without cause upon 30 days prior written notice to Tulex or (2) immediately upon written notice in the event Tulex is dissolved or undergoes a change in control. A termination or expiration of a single Tulex Statement of Work will not cause the automatic termination of the agreement or of any other Tulex Statement of Work.

Each party under the Tulex Master Services Agreement agreed to indemnify the other party, its affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors and agents against any third-party liabilities arising out of (1) such party’s breach of the Tulex Master Services Agreement or a Tulex Statement of Work or (2) the negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such party, its officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives in connection with the Tulex Master Services Agreement.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Tulex Master Services Agreement in the form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the form of the agreement for a complete understanding of all of its terms.

Shah Investor LP Assignment Agreement

On August 6, 2013, through Semnur, we entered into an Assignment Agreement with Shah Investor LP (“Shah Investor”). Mahendra Shah, Ph.D., who served on our board of directors from March 2019 to October 2020, is the managing partner of Shah Investor. Pursuant to the Assignment Agreement, Shah Investor assigned to us certain intellectual property related to pharmaceutical compositions of corticosteroids (the “Assigned IP”). As consideration for the Assigned IP, we agreed to pay a contingent quarterly royalty in the low- single digits to Shah Investor based on the quarterly net sales of any pharmaceutical formulations for local delivery of steroids by injection developed utilizing the Assigned IP (a “Royalty Product”). We expect that SEMDEXA, if approved, will constitute a Royalty Product. The royalty percentage is subject to reduction in certain circumstances. Royalties are due for so long as a Royalty Product is covered by a valid patent in the country of sale or for ten years following the first commercial sale of the first Royalty Product in the United States, whichever is longer. We also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to maximize the scope and coverage of the patents contained in the Assigned IP. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, no royalty payments have been made as we have not yet commercialized any applicable products and therefore such payments have not been triggered.

The Assignment Agreement will remain in effect on a country-by-country and product-by-product basis until royalties are no longer due on any Royalty Product. Either party may terminate the Assignment Agreement upon sixty days’ prior written notice, in the event the other party seeks to avoid a provision of the Assignment Agreement by asserting that such provision is invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable, unless such assertion is eliminated and the effect of such assertion cured within such sixty day period.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Assignment Agreement in the form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the form of the agreement for a complete understanding of all of its terms.

Romeg License and Commercialization Agreement

Effective June 14, 2022, we entered into a License and Commercialization Agreement (the “Romeg Agreement”) with RxOmeg Therapeutics, LLC (a/k/a Romeg Therapeutics, Inc.). Pursuant to the Romeg Agreement, Romeg granted to us (1) the right to manufacture, promote, market, distribute and sell the Licensed Products (as defined below) in the United States and (2) an exclusive, transferable license to use the trademark “GLOPERBA”.

Under the Romeg Agreement, among other things, Romeg granted us (1) a transferable license, with the right to sublicense, under the patents and know-how specified therein to (a) commercialize the pharmaceutical product comprising liquid formulations of colchicine for the prophylactic treatment of gout in adult humans (the “Initial Licensed Product”) in the United States (including its territories) (the

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“Territory”), (b) develop other products comprising the Initial Licensed Product as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (together with the Initial Licensed Product, the “Licensed Products”) and commercialize any such products and (c) manufacture Licensed Products anywhere in the world, solely for commercialization in the Territory; and (2) an exclusive, transferable license, with right to sublicense, to use the trademark “GLOPERBA” and logos, designs, translations, and modifications thereof in connection with the commercialization of the Initial Licensed Product solely in the Territory. The license to know-how is exclusive for purposes of developing and commercializing Licensed Products in the Territory during the royalty term, but is otherwise non-exclusive. The license to patents is exclusive for purposes of developing and commercializing Licensed Products in the Territory until July 1, 2027 and, thereafter, is co-exclusive with Granules Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the royalty term for such purposes. The royalty term begins on the date of the agreement and ends on the later of (i) expiration of the last to expire of the patents that covers the manufacture or commercialization of the Licensed Products in the Territory or (ii) the tenth anniversary of the date of the Romeg Agreement.

As consideration for the license under the Romeg Agreement, we agreed to pay Romeg (1) an up-front payment of $2.0 million, (2) upon our achievement of certain net sales milestones, certain milestone payments in the aggregate amount of up to $13.0 million and (3) certain royalties, at rates that do not exceed ten percent, based on annual net sales of the Licensed Products by us during the royalty term.

The Romeg Agreement will remain in effect until it is terminated in accordance with the terms thereof. We may terminate the Romeg Agreement (1) upon written notice to Romeg, if we elect (or are required) to withdraw the Initial Licensed Product from the market as a result of serious adverse reactions from use of such product, which termination will be effective 30 days following the date of such notice or (2) at any time, without cause, upon written notice to Romeg, which termination will be effective 120 days following the date of such notice, provided that a termination fee of up to $2.0 million shall be paid to Romeg depending on when during the 10 year period following the date of the agreement any such termination notice set forth in the immediately preceding clause (2) has been provided. Romeg may terminate the Romeg Agreement (a) upon notice to us, if we fail to timely pay any milestone payment, percentage royalties or minimum quarterly royalties or fail to timely deliver the requisite quarterly report, which termination will be effective 30 days after the date of such notice, unless we has made such payment in full or delivered such quarterly report within such 30 day period; (b) immediately, if we challenge the licensed patents under any court action or proceeding or before any patent office or assist any third party to conduct any of these activities; or (c) by written notice to us if sales of Licensed Products do not commence or continue within specified periods agreed to by the parties. In addition, either party may terminate the Romeg Agreement (1) in the event the other party materially breaches the agreement, unless the breaching party has cured any such breach within 60 days after any notice thereof was provided or (2) in the event the other party (a) files in any court or agency a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency, (b) is served with an involuntary petition against it in any insolvency proceeding and such involuntary petition has not been stayed or dismissed within 90 days after its filing, or (c) makes an assignment of substantially all of its assets for the benefit of its creditors.

The Romeg Agreement contains customary reciprocal indemnification obligations for Romeg and us. Additionally, we agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to indemnify Romeg against any loss arising out of the manufacture or commercialization of any Licensed Product by or on behalf of us or our affiliates, marketing partners, sublicensees or subcontractors on or after the date of the license.

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Romeg Agreement, which is in the form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. You should read the form of the agreement for a complete understanding of all of its terms.

Intellectual Property

Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain proprietary protection for our product candidates, technology and know-how, to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others and to prevent others from infringing our proprietary rights. Our policy is to seek to protect our proprietary position by, among other methods, pursuing and obtaining patent protection in the United States and in jurisdictions outside of the United States related to our novel adhesion and delivery technology, inventions, improvements and product candidates that are important to the development and implementation of our business. Our patent portfolio is intended to cover our product candidates, their methods of use

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and processes for their manufacture, and any other inventions that are commercially important to our business. We also rely on trade secret protection of our confidential information and know-how relating to our novel adhesion and delivery technology, platforms and product candidates.

Generally, patents are granted a term of 20 years from the earliest claimed non-provisional filing date. In certain instances, patent term can be adjusted to recapture a portion of delay by the PTO in examining the patent application or extended to account for term effectively lost as a result of the FDA regulatory review period, or both. We cannot provide any assurance that any patents will be issued from our pending or future applications or that any patents will adequately protect our product or product candidates.

Our patent portfolio, consisting of owned and/or licensed IP as of June 29, 2022 contains approximately sixteen issued and unexpired U.S. patents, six pending U.S. patent applications, and one pending Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application. Our portfolio also includes certain foreign counterparts of these patents and patent applications including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Ukraine, and certain countries within the European Patent Convention.

With respect to ZTlido and SP-103, our patents and patent applications cover compositions and methods of treatment. With respect to our product candidate SEMDEXA, our patents and patent applications include formulations and methods of treatment. The patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,500,284, 10,117,938, and 11,020,485, all of which expire in 2036. With respect to SP-104, our pending Patent Cooperation Treaty application is WO 2022/076470 (and all patents and patent applications that claim priority rights thereto), which covers oral delayed burst formulations of low-dose naloxone or naltrexone and related methods of treatment. We continue to seek to maximize the scope of our patent protection for all our programs. We have five issued U.S. patents and two pending U.S. patent applications relating to lidocaine topical system compositions and methods of treating pain with lidocaine topical system compositions. The patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,283,174, 9,925,264, 9,931,403, 10,765,749, 10,765,640 and 11,278,623 all of which expire in 2031. Related to GLOPERBA, our licensed patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,907,751, 10,226,423, 10,383,820, and 10,383,821, which relate to liquid colchicine formulations for oral administration and associated methods of use. U.S. Pat. No. 10,226,423 expires in 2037. The remaining patents related to GLOPERBA expire in 2036.

We believe that we have certain know-how and trade secrets relating to our technology and product candidates. We rely on trade secrets to protect certain aspects of our technology related to our current and future product candidates. However, trade secrets can be difficult to protect. We seek to protect our trade secrets, in part, by entering into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors, service providers, and contractors. We also seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our data and trade secrets by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical and electronic security of our information technology systems.

Trademarks, Trade Secrets and Other Proprietary Information

We file trademark applications and pursue registrations in the United States and abroad when appropriate. We own registered U.S. trademarks for the marks “SCILEX,” “ZTlido” and “RESPONSIBLE BY DESIGN.” We also own pending trademark applications for “SEMNUR PHARMACEUTICALS” and “SEMDEXA” in the United States. We also license the GLOPERBA trademark as discussed in relation to the Romeg Agreement described above.

We also depend upon the skills, knowledge and experience of our scientific and technical personnel, as well as that of our advisors, consultants and other contractors. To help protect our proprietary know-how, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect our interests. Our policy is to require each of our employees, consultants and advisors to execute a confidentiality and inventions assignment agreement before beginning their employment, consulting or advisory relationship with us. The agreements generally provide that the individual must keep confidential and not disclose to other parties any confidential information developed or learned by the individual during the course of the individual’s relationship with us except in limited circumstances. These agreements generally also provide that we will own all inventions conceived by the individual in the course of rendering services to us.

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SEMDEXA benefits from our substantial intellectual property portfolio and other technical barriers to entry for potential competitors. Further, we are a party to an exclusive supply agreement for a proprietary biocompatible excipient with no generic equivalent. Our complex manufacturing process, specialized equipment and know-how for sterile viscous product candidates are also key to our competitive edge. We believe that our competitors will be required to conduct lengthy and costly preclinical and clinical trials to establish products with comparable safety and efficacy to SEMDEXA.

Government Regulation and Product Approval

Government authorities in the United States at the federal, state and local levels, and in other countries and jurisdictions, extensively regulate, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, pricing, reimbursement, sales, quality control, approval, labeling, packaging, storage, record-keeping, promotion, advertising, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, marketing and export and import of products such as those we are marketing and developing. SP-102, SP-103, SP-104 and any other product candidate that we develop must be approved by the FDA or otherwise authorized for marketing before they may be legally marketed in the United States and by the corresponding foreign regulatory agencies before they may be legally marketed in foreign countries. The processes for obtaining marketing approvals, along with subsequent compliance with applicable statutes and regulations and other regulatory authorities, require the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources.

U.S. Drug Development Process

In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the FDCA and implementing regulations. Drugs are also subject to other federal, state and local statutes and regulations. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, local and foreign statutes and regulations requires the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with the applicable requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or after approval, may subject an applicant or its products to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as inspection scrutiny, the FDA’s refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, imposition of a clinical hold, issuance of warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement of profits or civil or criminal penalties. The process required by the FDA before a drug may be marketed in the United States generally involves the following:

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completion of preclinical laboratory tests, animal studies and formulation studies according to Good Laboratory Practices (“GLPs”) or other applicable regulations;

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submission to the FDA of an Investigational New Drug Application (“IND”), which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin;

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approval by an IRB covering each clinical site before each trial may be initiated;

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performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials according to the laws and regulations pertaining to the conduct of human clinical trials, collectively referred to as GCP requirements to establish the safety and efficacy of the proposed drug for its intended use;

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submission to the FDA of an NDA or other marketing application (collectively, an “NDA”), for a proposed new drug, including its specific formulation and labeling;

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satisfactory completion of an FDA advisory committee review, if applicable;

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satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities where the drug is produced to assess compliance with the FDA’s cGMP requirements to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to preserve the drug’s identity, strength, quality and purity;

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potential FDA audit of the preclinical study and clinical trial sites that generated the data in support of the NDA; and

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FDA review and approval of the NDA prior to any commercial marketing, sale or shipment of the drug.

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Before testing novel compounds with potential therapeutic value in humans, the drug candidate enters the preclinical testing stage, also referred to as preclinical studies. Preclinical studies include laboratory evaluations of product chemistry, toxicity and formulation, as well as animal studies to assess the potential safety and activity of the drug candidate. The conduct of the preclinical studies must comply with federal laws and requirements including GLPs. The IND sponsor must submit the results of the preclinical studies, together with manufacturing information, analytical data, and any available clinical data or literature, to the FDA as part of the IND. The sponsor will also include a protocol detailing, among other things, the objectives of the first phase of the clinical trial, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety, and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated, if the first phase lends itself to an efficacy evaluation. Some preclinical studies may continue even after the IND is submitted. The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless before that time the FDA raises concerns or questions related to one or more proposed clinical trials and places the trial on a clinical hold within that 30-day time period. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. The FDA may also impose clinical holds on a drug candidate at any time before or during clinical trials due to safety concerns, non-compliance, or for additional reasons. Accordingly, we cannot be sure that submission of an IND will result in the FDA allowing clinical trials to begin, or that, once begun, issues will not arise that suspend or terminate such trial.

Clinical trials involve the administration of the drug candidate to healthy subjects or patients with the target disease under the supervision of qualified investigators, generally physicians not employed by the trial sponsor. Clinical trials are conducted under written study protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the clinical trial, subject selection and exclusion criteria, dosing procedures, and the parameters to be used to collect data and to monitor subject safety. Each protocol must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND, and timely safety reports must be submitted to the FDA and investigators for suspected adverse reactions that are serious and unexpected. Clinical trials must be conducted in accordance with applicable statutes, the FDA’s regulations and GCP requirements. Further, each clinical trial must be reviewed and approved by an IRB at or servicing each institution at which the clinical trial will be conducted. An IRB is charged with protecting the welfare and rights of trial participants and considers such items as whether the risks to individuals participating in the clinical trials are minimized and are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits. The IRB also approves the informed consent form that must be provided to each clinical trial subject or his or her legal representative and must monitor the clinical trial until it is completed. In some instances, additional oversight boards, such as a data safety monitoring board, are required to evaluate interim data and determine whether a study should continue or be modified or terminated. Information about many clinical trials is required to be publicly reported on www.ClinicalTrials.gov or similar databases.

Human clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases that may overlap or be combined:

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Phase 1. The drug is initially introduced into healthy human subjects and tested for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion and, if possible, to gain an early indication of its effectiveness. In the case of some products for severe or life-threatening diseases, especially when the product may be too inherently toxic to ethically administer to healthy volunteers, the initial human testing may be conducted only in patients having the specific disease.

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Phase 2. The drug is evaluated in a limited patient population to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks, to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy of the product for specific targeted diseases and to determine dosage tolerance, optimal dosage and dosing schedule for patients having the specific disease.

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Phase 3. The drug is administered to an expanded patient population in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to generate sufficient data to statistically confirm the safety and efficacy of the product for potential approval, to establish the overall risk-benefit profile of the product, and to provide adequate information for the labeling of the product. Generally, at least two adequate and well-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials are required by the FDA for approval of an NDA. In some cases, the FDA may approve a drug based on the results of a single adequate and well-controlled Phase 3 trial for excellent design and which provided highly reliable and statistically strong evidence of important clinical benefit.

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Post-approval studies, also referred to as Phase 4 clinical trials, may be conducted after initial marketing approval. These studies are used to gain additional experience from the treatment of patients in the intended therapeutic indication and may be required by the FDA as part of the approval process.

Progress reports detailing the status of drug development and results of the clinical trials must be submitted at least annually to the FDA, and written IND safety reports must be submitted to the FDA and the investigators for suspected adverse reactions that are serious and unexpected (including increased rate of occurrence of such adverse reactions), findings from other studies that suggest a significant risk in humans exposed to the drug, or any findings from tests in laboratory animals that suggests a significant risk for human subjects or patients. Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials may not yield positive results, or may not be completed successfully within any specified period, if at all. The FDA or the sponsor or its data safety monitoring board may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the research subjects are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Similarly, an IRB can suspend or terminate approval of a clinical trial at its institution if the clinical trial is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB’s requirements or if the drug has been associated with unexpected serious harm to study subjects.

During the development of a new drug, sponsors are given opportunities to meet with the FDA at certain points. These points may be prior to submission of an IND, at the end of Phase 2, and before an NDA is submitted. Meetings at other times may be requested. These meetings can provide an opportunity for the sponsor to share information about the data gathered to date, for the FDA to provide advice, and for the sponsor and the FDA to reach agreement on the next phase of development. Sponsors typically use the end of Phase 2 meeting to discuss their Phase 2 clinical results and present their plans for the Phase 3 clinical trials that they believe will support approval of the new drug.

Concurrent with clinical trials, companies usually complete additional animal studies and must also develop additional information about the chemistry and physical characteristics of the drug as well as finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial quantities in accordance with cGMP requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the drug candidate and, among other things, the manufacturer must develop methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final drug product. Additionally, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested and stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate that the drug candidate does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf life.

FDA Review and Approval Processes

The results of product development, preclinical studies and clinical trials for the claimed indications are incorporated into an NDA. The FDA may grant deferrals for the development and submission of pediatric data or full or partial waivers after the initial submission of a pediatric study plan following an end of Phase 2 meeting. In addition, descriptions of the manufacturing process and controls, analytical tests conducted on the chemistry of the drug, proposed labeling and other relevant information are also submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA requesting approval to market the product. The submission of an NDA is subject to the payment of substantial user fees and a waiver of such fees may be obtained under certain limited circumstances.

The FDA reviews the NDA to determine, among other things, whether the proposed product is safe and effective for its intended use, and whether the product is being manufactured in accordance with cGMP to assure and preserve the product’s identity, strength, quality and purity. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (“PDUFA”) guidelines that are currently in effect, the FDA has a goal of ten months from the date of “filing” of a standard, original NDA for a new molecular entity to review and act on the submission. This review typically takes twelve months from the date the NDA is submitted to the FDA because the FDA has approximately two months to make a “filing” decision after the application is submitted. The FDA conducts a preliminary review of all NDAs within the first 60 days after submission, before accepting them for filing, to determine whether they are sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. The FDA may request additional information rather than accepting an NDA for filing. In this event, the NDA must be resubmitted with the additional information. The resubmitted application also is subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing.

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The FDA may refer applications for novel drug products or drug products which present difficult questions of safety or efficacy to an advisory committee, typically a panel that includes clinicians and other experts, for review, evaluation and a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved and under what conditions. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of an advisory committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions. During the drug approval process, the FDA also will determine whether a REMS is necessary to assure the safe use of the drug. If the FDA concludes a REMS is needed, the sponsor of the NDA must submit a proposed REMS. The FDA will not approve the NDA without a REMS, if required. A REMS could include medication guides, physician communication plans or elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries and other risk minimization tools. Any of these limitations on approval or marketing could restrict the commercial promotion, distribution, prescription or dispensing of products.

Before approving an NDA, the FDA will inspect the facilities at which the product is to be manufactured. The FDA will not approve the product unless it determines that the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP requirements and adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP requirements. If the FDA determines that the application, manufacturing process or manufacturing facilities are not acceptable, it will outline the deficiencies in the submission and often will request additional testing or information.

After the FDA evaluates an NDA, it will issue an approval letter or a Complete Response Letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with prescribing information for specific indications. A Complete Response Letter indicates that the review cycle of the application is complete, and the application will not be approved in its present form. A Complete Response Letter usually describes the specific deficiencies in the NDA identified by the FDA and may require additional clinical data, such as an additional pivotal Phase 3 trial or other significant and time-consuming requirements related to clinical trials, preclinical studies or manufacturing. If a Complete Response Letter is issued, the sponsor must resubmit the NDA, addressing all of the deficiencies identified in the letter, or withdraw the application. Even if such data and information are submitted, the FDA may decide that the NDA does not satisfy the criteria for approval.

If a product receives regulatory approval, the approval may be significantly limited to specific diseases and dosages or the indications for use may otherwise be limited, which could restrict the commercial value of the product. Further, the FDA may require that certain contraindications, warnings or precautions be included in the product labeling. In addition, the FDA may require post-approval studies, referred to as Phase 4 testing, which involves clinical trials designed to further assess a product’s safety and effectiveness and may require testing and surveillance programs to monitor the safety of approved products that have been commercialized.

Expedited Development and Review Programs

The FDA administers a number of different programs that enable the agency and sponsors in various ways to expedite the development or agency review of a new drug product. Among these, the FDA has a fast track designation that is intended to expedite or facilitate the process for reviewing new drug products that meet certain criteria. New drugs are eligible for fast track designation if they are intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for the disease or condition. As an example of the modified processes available to a fast track product, the FDA may consider for review sections of the NDA on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted, if the sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the NDA, the FDA agrees to accept sections of the NDA and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section of the NDA.

Any product submitted to the FDA for approval, including a product with a fast track designation, may also be eligible for other types of FDA programs intended to expedite development and review, such as priority review and accelerated approval. A product is eligible for priority review if it has the potential to provide safe and effective therapy where no satisfactory alternative therapy exists or a significant improvement in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of a disease compared to marketed products. The FDA will attempt to direct additional resources to the evaluation of an application for a new drug designated for

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priority review in an effort to facilitate the review. The FDA endeavors to review applications with priority review designations within six months of the filing date as compared to ten months for review of other NDAs under its current PDUFA review goals.

In addition, a product may be eligible for accelerated approval. Drug products intended to treat serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions may be eligible for accelerated approval upon a determination that the product has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, or on a clinical endpoint that can be measured earlier than irreversible morbidity or mortality, that is reasonably likely to predict an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit, taking into account the severity, rarity, or prevalence of the condition and the availability or lack of alternative treatments. As a condition of approval, the FDA may require that a sponsor of a drug receiving accelerated approval perform additional adequate and well-controlled post-marketing clinical trials. In addition, the FDA currently requires as a condition for accelerated approval pre-use submission of promotional materials, which could adversely impact the timing of the commercial launch of the product. Fast track designation, priority review and accelerated approval do not change the standards for approval but may expedite the development or approval process.

The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act established a category of drugs referred to as “breakthrough therapies” that may be eligible to receive breakthrough therapy designation. A sponsor may seek the FDA designation of a product candidate as a “breakthrough therapy” if the product is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other products, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the product may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. The designation includes all of the fast track program features, as well as more intensive FDA interaction and guidance. The breakthrough therapy designation is a distinct status from both accelerated approval and priority review, which can also be granted to the same drug if relevant criteria are met. If a product is designated as breakthrough therapy, the FDA will work with the sponsor to expedite the development and review of such drug.

With passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in December 2016, Congress authorized the FDA to accelerate review and approval of products designated as regenerative advanced therapies. A product is eligible for this designation if it is a regenerative medicine therapy that is intended to treat, modify, reverse or cure a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the product candidate has the potential to address unmet medical needs for such disease or condition. The benefits of a regenerative advanced therapy designation include early interactions with the FDA to expedite development and review, benefits available to breakthrough therapies, potential eligibility for priority review and accelerated approval based on surrogate or intermediate endpoints.

We have obtained fast track designation for SEMDEXA for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain and have applied for breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain based on the top-line results obtained from the pivotal Phase 3 trial, which results reflect achievement of primary and secondary endpoints. We may seek additional designations for SEMDEXA or our other product candidates. Even if a product qualifies for one or more of these programs, the FDA may later decide that the product no longer meets the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened.

Post-Approval Requirements

Once an approval is granted, the FDA may withdraw the approval if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. Later discovery of previously unknown risks or problems with a product may result in labeling changes, restrictions on the product or even complete withdrawal of the product from the market. After approval, most changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications, certain manufacturing changes and additional labeling claims, are subject to further FDA review and approval. Drug manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution of approved drugs are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with cGMP regulations and other laws and regulations. In addition, the FDA may impose a number of post-approval requirements as a condition of approval of an NDA. For

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example, the FDA may require post-marketing testing, including Phase 4 clinical trials, and surveillance to further assess and monitor the product’s safety and effectiveness after commercialization.

Any drug products for which we receive FDA approvals are subject to continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, record-keeping requirements, reporting of adverse experiences or quality issues with the product, providing the FDA with updated safety and efficacy information, satisfaction of post-approval requirements or commitments, product sampling and distribution requirements, and complying with FDA promotion and advertising requirements. These promotion and advertising requirements include, among other things, standards for direct-to-consumer advertising, prohibitions against promoting drugs for uses, or in patient populations, that are not described in the drug’s approved labeling, which is known as “off-label use,” rules for conducting industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities, and promotional activities involving the internet. Failure to comply with post-approval requirements can have negative consequences, including adverse publicity, enforcement letters from the FDA, mandated corrective advertising or communications with doctors, and civil or criminal penalties. Although physicians may prescribe legally available drugs for off-label uses, manufacturers may not market or promote such off-label uses. Failure to comply with the applicable U.S. requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or after approval, may subject an applicant, manufacturer or product to administrative or judicial civil or criminal sanctions and adverse publicity. FDA sanctions could include refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, clinical holds on post-approval clinical trials, warning or untitled letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, mandated corrective advertising or communications with doctors, debarment, restitution, disgorgement of profits, or civil or criminal penalties.

Hatch-Waxman Amendments

Section 505 of the FDCA describes three types of NDAs that may be submitted to request marketing authorization for a new drug, the first being a 505(b)(1) NDA. A 505(b)(1) NDA is an application that contains full reports of investigations of safety and effectiveness. A 505(b)(2) NDA likewise contains full reports of investigations of safety and effectiveness relevant to a product, but some of the data are not owned by or licensed to the applicant. Section 505(j) establishes an abbreviated approval process for generic versions of approved drug products through the submission of an abbreviated new drug application (“ANDA”). An ANDA generally provides for marketing of a drug product that has the same active ingredients in the same strengths and dosage form, and with the same labeling and route of administration as the listed drug and has been shown to be bioequivalent to the listed drug. ANDA applicants are required to conduct bioequivalence testing to confirm chemical and therapeutic equivalence to the branded reference drug. Generic versions of drugs can often, and sometimes must, be substituted by pharmacists under prescriptions written for the branded reference drug.

A 505(b)(2) NDA is an application that contains full reports of investigations of safety and effectiveness but where at least some of the information required for approval comes from studies not conducted by or for the applicant, and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. This regulatory pathway enables the applicant to rely, in part, on the FDA’s findings of safety and efficacy for an existing product, or published literature, in support of its application. Additional preclinical and clinical data may also be submitted. The FDA may then approve the new product candidate for all or some of the labeled indications for which the referenced product has been approved, or for any new indication sought by the 505(b)(2) applicant.

Upon submission of an ANDA or a 505(b)(2) NDA, an applicant must certify to the FDA at least one of the following (1) no patent information on the drug product that is relied upon by the ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA (known as the reference drug) has been submitted to the FDA; (2) such patent has expired; (3) the date on which such patent expires; or (4) such patent is invalid, unenforceable, or will not be infringed by the manufacture, use or sale of the drug product for which the ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA is submitted. This last certification is known as a Paragraph IV Certification. If the NDA holder for the reference drug or patent owner(s) asserts a patent challenge to the Paragraph IV Certification, the FDA may not approve that application until the earlier of 30 months from the receipt of the notice of the Paragraph IV Certification, the expiration of the patent, when the infringement case concerning each such patent was favorably decided in the applicant’s favor or such shorter or longer period as may be ordered by a court. This prohibition is

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generally referred to as the 30-month stay. Thus, approval of an ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA could be delayed for a significant period of time depending on the patent certification the applicant makes and the reference drug sponsor’s or patent owner’s decision to initiate patent litigation.

In addition to, and distinct from the patent protection provisions, the Hatch-Waxman Amendments establish periods of regulatory exclusivity for certain approved drug products, during which the FDA cannot approve (or in some cases accept) an ANDA or 505(b)(2) application that relies on the branded reference drug. For example, the holder of an NDA may obtain five years of exclusivity upon approval of a new drug containing a new chemical entity that has not been previously approved by the FDA. The Hatch-Waxman Amendments also provide three years of marketing exclusivity to the holder of an NDA (including a 505(b)(2) NDA) for a particular condition of approval, or change to a marketed product, such as a new formulation for a previously approved product, if one or more new clinical trials (other than bioavailability or bioequivalence studies) was essential to the approval of the application and was conducted/sponsored by the applicant. This three-year exclusivity period protects against FDA approval of ANDAs and 505(b)(2) NDAs for drugs that include the innovation that required the new clinical data, but generally allows the approval for non-protected characteristics and labeling.

Orphan Drug Designation and Exclusivity

Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may grant orphan designation to a drug or biological product intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is generally a disease or condition that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, or more than 200,000 individuals in the United States and for which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making the product available in the United States for this type of disease or condition will be recovered from sales of the product. Orphan drug designation must be requested before submitting an NDA. After the FDA grants orphan drug designation, the identity of the therapeutic agent and its potential orphan use are disclosed publicly by the FDA. Orphan drug designation does not convey any advantage in or shorten the duration of the regulatory review and approval process.

If a product that has orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first FDA approval for the disease or condition for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to orphan drug exclusivity, which means that the FDA may not approve any other applications to market the same drug for the same indication for seven years from the date of such approval, except in limited circumstances, such as a showing of clinical superiority to the product with orphan exclusivity by means of greater effectiveness, greater safety or providing a major contribution to patient care or in instances of drug supply issues. Competitors, however, may receive approval of either a different product for the same indication or the same product for a different indication but that could be used off-label in the orphan indication. If an orphan designated product receives marketing approval for an indication broader than what is designated, it may not be entitled to orphan exclusivity. The FDA also has authority to withdraw exclusive marketing rights if the holder of an approved orphan drug cannot assure the availability of sufficient quantities of the drug within a reasonable time to meet the needs of patients with the disease or condition for which the drug was designated.

Third-Party Payor Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement

In the United States and markets in other countries, patients who are prescribed treatments for their conditions and providers performing the prescribed services generally rely on third-party payors to reimburse all or part of the associated healthcare costs. Thus, sales of a product will depend, in part, on the extent to which third-party payors provide coverage and establish adequate reimbursement levels for the product. Third-party payors include government payor programs at the federal and state levels, including Medicare and Medicaid, managed care providers, private health insurers and other organizations. In the United States, no uniform policy of coverage and reimbursement for products exists among third-party payors. The process for determining whether a payor will provide coverage for a product may be separate from the process for setting the price or reimbursement rate that the payor will pay for the product. Third-party payors may limit coverage to specific products on an approved list, or formulary, which might not include all of the FDA-approved products for a particular indication, and which can change over time. Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the price and examining the medical necessity and cost-effectiveness of medical products and services, in addition to their safety and efficacy. We may need to conduct expensive

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pharmacoeconomic studies in order to demonstrate the medical necessity and cost-effectiveness of our products, in addition to the costs required to obtain FDA or other comparable regulatory approvals. Additionally, companies may also need to provide discounts to purchasers, private health plans or government healthcare programs, in order to be considered as a formulary option. Nonetheless, product candidates may not be considered by individual payors to be medically necessary or cost-effective. A payor’s decision to provide coverage for a product does not imply that a preferred formulary position or an adequate reimbursement rate will be approved. Further, one payor’s determination to provide coverage for a product does not assure that other payors will also provide coverage and reimbursement for the product, and the level of coverage and reimbursement can differ significantly from payor to payor. Adequate third-party reimbursement may not be available to enable us to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our investment in product development.

The cost of pharmaceuticals continues to generate substantial governmental and third-party payor interest. We expect that the pharmaceutical industry will experience pricing pressures due to the trend toward managed healthcare, the increasing influence of managed care organizations and additional legislative proposals. The U.S. government, state legislatures and foreign governments have shown significant interest in implementing cost containment programs to limit the growth of government-paid healthcare costs, including price controls, restrictions on reimbursement and requirements for substitution of generic products for branded prescription drugs. Adoption of such controls and measures, and tightening of restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could limit payments for pharmaceuticals such as our products and the product candidates that we are developing and could adversely affect our net revenue and results.

Different pricing and reimbursement schemes exist in other countries. In the European Economic Area (“EEA”) (which is currently comprised of the 27 Member States of the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), governments influence the price of pharmaceutical products through their pricing and reimbursement rules and control of national healthcare systems that fund a large part of the cost of those products to consumers. Some EEA countries operate positive and negative list systems under which some medicinal products are selected for coverage (positive list) and others are explicitly listed as excluded from reimbursement (negative list). To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval, some of these EEA countries may require the completion of clinical trials that compare the cost-effectiveness of a particular product to currently available therapies. Other EEA countries allow companies to fix their own prices for medicinal products, but monitor and control company profits. The downward pressure on healthcare costs in general, particularly prescription drugs, has become very intense. As a result, increasingly high barriers are being erected to the entry of new products. In addition, in some countries, cross-border imports from low-priced markets exert a commercial pressure on pricing within a country. There can be no assurance that any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for products will allow favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements for any of our products.

U.S. Healthcare Reform

In the United States there have been, and continue to be, proposals by the federal government, state governments, regulators and third-party payors to control or manage the increased costs of healthcare and, more generally, to reform the U.S. healthcare system. The pharmaceutical industry has been a particular focus of these efforts and has been significantly affected by major legislative initiatives. For example, in March 2010, the ACA was enacted, which is intended to broaden access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, enhance remedies against fraud and abuse, add new transparency requirements for the healthcare and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on the health industry and impose additional health policy reforms, and which substantially changes the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers, and significantly impact the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. The ACA, among other things, (1) subjected therapeutic biologics to potential competition by lower-cost biosimilars by creating a licensure framework for follow-on biologic products, (2) prescribed a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected, (3) increased the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and extended the rebate program to individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations, (4) established annual nondeductible fees and taxes on manufacturers of certain branded prescription drugs, apportioned among

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these entities according to their market share in certain government healthcare programs, (5) established a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must agree to offer point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D, (6) expanded eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs by, among other things, allowing states to offer Medicaid coverage to additional individuals and by adding new mandatory eligibility categories for individuals with income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, thereby potentially increasing manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability, (7) expanded the entities eligible for discounts under the 340B Public Health Service Act program, (8) created a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research, and (9) established a Center for Medicare Innovation at the CMS to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription drug spending.

Since its enactment, there have been judicial, Congressional and Administrative challenges to certain aspects of the ACA, and we expect there will be additional challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future. For example, legislation affecting the implementation of certain taxes under the ACA has been signed into law. The TCJA included a provision that repealed, effective January 1, 2019, the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the ACA on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate”. Further, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (the “BBA”), among other things, amended the ACA, effective January 1, 2019, to increase from 50% to 70% the point-of-sale discount that is owned by pharmaceutical manufacturers who participate in Medicare Part D and to close the coverage gap in most Medicare drug plans, commonly referred to as the “donut hole”. It is unclear how healthcare reform measures of the Biden administration or other efforts, if any, to modify or invalidate the ACA or its implementing regulations, or portions thereof, will impact our business. Any health care reform measures will likely take time to unfold, and could have an impact on coverage and reimbursement for healthcare items and services. We cannot predict the ultimate content, timing or effect of any healthcare reform legislation or other policy or the impact of potential legislation or other policy on us.

Other legislative and administrative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA was enacted to reduce healthcare expenditures. For example, the Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, in connection with subsequent legislation, reduced Medicare payments to providers, on average, by 2% per fiscal year. These reductions went into effect on April 1, 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, including the BBA, will remain in effect through 2030, with the exception of a temporary suspension from May 1, 2020, through May 31, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law provides for 1% Medicare sequestration in the second quarter of 2022 and allows the full 2% sequestration thereafter until 2030. To offset the temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2030, the sequestration will be 2.25% for the first half of the year, and 3% in the second half of the year. Moreover, on January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. If federal spending is further reduced, anticipated budgetary shortfalls may impact the ability of relevant agencies to continue to function at current levels. Amounts allocated to federal grants and contracts may be reduced or eliminated. These reductions may also impact the ability of relevant agencies to timely review and approve research and development, manufacturing, and marketing activities, which may delay our ability to develop, market and sell any products we may develop.

Recently there has been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted federal and state legislation designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drug products. At the federal level, these include proposed measures to permit Medicare to negotiate the price of certain drugs, to establish rebates under Medicare Part B and Part D where the average sales price or the average manufacturer price of a drug respectively increases faster than the pace of inflation and to eliminate the existing manufacturer coverage gap discount program under Part D and replace it with a new program that would require manufacturer

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discounts in both the initial and catastrophic phases of the program. On May 16, 2019, CMS adopted a final rule that, among other things, will require Part D plans to adopt Real Time Benefit Tools that are capable of integrating with electronic prescribing or electronic health record systems and have the capability to inform prescribers when lower-cost alternative therapies are available under a beneficiary’s prescription drug benefit. Similarly, since 2021, Part D Explanation of Benefits transmittals to members are required to inform Part D beneficiaries about drug prices and lower cost therapeutic alternatives. At the state level, legislatures are increasingly passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures. In some cases, states appear interested in public policy designed to encourage drug importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Furthermore, there has been increased interest by third-party payors and governmental authorities in reference pricing systems and publication of discounts and list prices.

We expect that other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and in additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any approved product, and could seriously harm our future revenue. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. The implementation of cost containment measures or other healthcare reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability, or commercialize our product.

Other U.S. Healthcare Laws and Compliance Requirements

In the United States, our activities are potentially subject to regulation by various federal, state and local authorities in addition to the FDA, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, other divisions of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (e.g., the Office of Inspector General), the United States Department of Justice and individual United States Attorney offices within the Department of Justice, and state and local governments. For example, various activities, including but not limited to sales, marketing and scientific/educational grant programs, must comply with the anti-fraud and abuse provisions of the Social Security Act, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the federal False Claims Act and similar state laws, each as amended. Failure to comply with such requirements could potentially result in substantial penalties to us. Even if we structure our programs with the intent of compliance with such laws, there can be no certainty that we would not need to defend against enforcement or litigation, in light of the fact that there is significant enforcement interest in pharmaceutical companies in the United States, and some of the applicable laws are quite broad in scope.

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits any person, including a pharmaceutical manufacturer (or a party acting on its behalf), from knowingly and willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce or reward either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing, recommending, or arranging for a good or service, for which payment may be made under a federal healthcare program such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. This statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on one hand and prescribers, purchasers, and formulary managers on the other. The term “remuneration” is not defined in the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value, including for example, gifts, discounts, the furnishing of supplies or equipment, credit arrangements, payments of cash, waivers of payments, ownership interests and providing anything at less than its fair market value. Although there are a number of statutory exemptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting certain business arrangements from prosecution, the exemptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly and practices that involve remuneration intended to induce prescribing, purchasing or recommending may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exemption or safe harbor. Our practices may not in all cases meet all of the criteria for safe harbor protection from federal Anti-Kickback Statute liability. The government can establish a violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute without proving that a person or entity had actual knowledge of this statute or specific intent to violate it. In addition, the ACA provides that the government may assert that a claim including items or services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the federal False Claims Act (discussed below) or the civil monetary penalties statute, which imposes fines against any person who is determined to have presented or caused to be presented claims to a federal healthcare program that the person knows or should know is for an item or service that was not provided as claimed or is false or fraudulent. Additionally, many states have adopted laws similar to

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the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, and some of these state prohibitions apply to referral of patients for healthcare items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, not only the Medicare and Medicaid programs in at least some cases, and do not contain safe harbors.

The federal False Claims Act imposes liability on any person or entity that, among other things, knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment of government funds, or knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used a false statement material to a false or fraudulent claim, or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids, or decreases an obligation to pay money to the government. The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act allow a private individual to bring civil actions on behalf of the federal government alleging that the defendant has submitted a false claim to the federal government and to share in any monetary recovery. In recent years, the number of suits brought by private individuals has increased dramatically. In addition, various states have enacted false claims laws analogous to the False Claims Act. Many of these state laws apply where a claim is submitted to any third-party payor and not merely a federal healthcare program. There are many potential bases for liability under the False Claims Act. Liability arises, primarily, when an entity knowingly submits, or causes another to submit, a false claim for reimbursement to the federal government. The False Claims Act has been used to assert liability on the basis of inadequate care, kickbacks and other improper referrals, improperly reported government pricing metrics such as Best Price or Average Manufacturer Price, improper promotion of off-label uses (i.e., uses not expressly approved by the FDA in a drug’s label), and allegations as to misrepresentations with respect to the services rendered. Our activities relating to the reporting of discount and rebate information and other information affecting federal, state and third-party reimbursement of our products, and the sale and marketing of our products and our service arrangements or data purchases, among other activities, may be subject to scrutiny under these laws. We are unable to predict whether we would be subject to actions under the False Claims Act or a similar state law, or the impact of such actions. However, the cost of defending such claims, as well as any sanctions imposed, could adversely affect our financial performance.

The healthcare fraud provisions under the HIPAA impose criminal liability for, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program, including private third-party payors, or falsifying or covering up a material fact or making any materially false or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for health care benefits, items or services.

We may be subject to, or our marketing activities may be limited by, data privacy and security regulation by both the federal government and the states in which we conduct our business. For example, HIPAA and its implementing regulations, impose privacy, security and breach reporting obligations with respect to individually identifiable health information upon “covered entities” (healthcare providers, health plans and healthcare clearinghouses), and their respective business associates, certain individuals or entities that create, receive, maintain or transmit protected health information in connection with providing a specified service or performing a function for or on behalf of a covered entity. The FTC also sets expectations that failing to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure, or failing to provide a level of security commensurate to promises made to an individual about the security of their personal information (such as in a privacy notice) may constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act. The FTC expects a company’s data security measures to be reasonable and appropriate in light of the sensitivity and volume of consumer information it holds, the size and complexity of its business, and the cost of available tools to improve security and reduce vulnerabilities. Individually identifiable health information is considered sensitive data that merits stronger safeguards. With respect to privacy, the FTC also sets expectations that companies honor the privacy promises made to individuals about how the company handles consumers’ personal information; any failure to honor promises, such as the statements made in a privacy policy or on a website, may also constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of the FTC Act. While we do not intend to engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, the FTC has the power to enforce promises as it interprets them, and events that we cannot fully control, such as data breaches, may be result in FTC enforcement. Enforcement by the FTC under the FTC Act can result in civil penalties or enforcement actions. Further, various states have implemented similar privacy laws and regulations that impose restrictive requirements regulating the use and disclosure of health information and other personally identifiable information. California has also recently adopted the CCPA. The CCPA established a new privacy framework for covered businesses by creating an expanded definition of personal information,

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establishing new data privacy rights for consumers in the State of California, imposing special rules on the collection of consumer data from minors, and creating a new and potentially severe statutory damages framework for violations of the CCPA and for businesses that fail to implement reasonable security procedures and practices to prevent data breaches of certain personal information. Penalties for violations of the CCPA include civil penalties. In addition, a new California privacy law, CPRA, was passed by California votes on November 3, 2020, introduced significant amendments to the CCPA and established and funded a dedicated California privacy regulator, the CPPA. The amendments introduced by the CPRA are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2023 (with certain provisions having retroactive effect to January 1, 2022). Further, a new Virginia privacy law, the VCDPA, was signed into law on March 2, 2021 and is also scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2023, and the Colorado Privacy Act (“CPA”) will take effect on July 1, 2023. The VCDPA and CPA will impose many similar obligations regarding the processing and storing of personal information as the CCPA and the CPRA. Other states in the United States are considering omnibus privacy legislation, and industry organizations regularly adopt and advocate for new standards in these areas. The uncertainty, ambiguity, complexity and potential inconsistency surrounding the implementation and interpretation of CCPA and other enacted or potential laws in other states exemplify the vulnerability of our business to the evolving regulatory environment related to the privacy, security and confidentiality of personal information and protected health information. We may be subject to fines, penalties, or private actions in the event of non-compliance with such laws.

Our activities outside of the U.S. implicate local and national data protection standards, impose additional compliance requirements and generate additional risks of enforcement for non-compliance. The European Union’s GDPR which imposes fines of up to EUR 20 million or 4% of the annual global revenue of a noncompliant company, whichever is greater, and other data protection, privacy and similar national, state/provincial and local laws may also restrict the access, use and disclosure of patient health information abroad. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable privacy and data security laws, to protect against security breaches and hackers, or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Compliance with these laws is difficult, constantly evolving, time consuming, and requires a flexible privacy framework and substantial resources. Compliance efforts will likely be an increasing and substantial cost in the future.

The U.S. federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, with specific exceptions, to annually report to CMS information related to payments or other transfers of value made to physicians and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by physicians and their immediate family members. In addition to this federal requirement, a number of individual states and foreign jurisdictions require detailed reporting and often public disclosures concerning transfers of value to physicians, other health care providers and family members. Effective January 1, 2022, these reporting obligations are extended to include transfers of value made to certain non-physician providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

Compliance with such requirements may require investment in infrastructure to ensure that tracking is performed properly, and some of these laws result in the public disclosure of various types of payments and relationships. Several states have enacted legislation requiring pharmaceutical companies to, among other things, establish marketing compliance programs, file periodic reports with the state, make periodic public disclosures on sales, marketing, pricing, clinical trials and other activities, or register their sales representatives, as well as prohibiting pharmacies and other healthcare entities from providing certain physician prescribing data to pharmaceutical companies for use in sales and marketing, and prohibiting certain other sales and marketing practices. These laws may affect our sales, marketing and other promotional activities by imposing administrative and compliance burdens on us. If we fail to track and report as required by these laws or otherwise comply with these laws, we could be subject to the penalty provisions of the pertinent state and federal authorities.

Where our activities involve foreign government officials, they may also potentially be subject to the FCPA. If we seek to have a product paid for with federal funds under the Medicaid programs or Medicare Part B, various obligations, including government price reporting, are required under the Medicaid rebate provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, each as amended, which generally require products to be offered at substantial rebates/discounts to such

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programs and certain purchasers. Government price reporting may also be required with respect to average sales price, which serves as the basis of reimbursement under Medicare Part B. In order to distribute products commercially, we must comply with state laws that require the registration of manufacturers and wholesale distributors of pharmaceutical products in a state, including, in certain states, manufacturers and distributors who ship products into the state even if such manufacturers or distributors have no place of business within the state. Some states also impose requirements on manufacturers and distributors to establish the pedigree of product in the chain of distribution, including some states that require manufacturers and others to adopt new technology capable of tracking and tracing product as it moves through the distribution chain. Many of our current as well as possible future activities are potentially subject to federal and state consumer protection and unfair competition laws. We must also comply with laws that require clinical trial registration and reporting of clinical trial results on the publicly available clinical trial databank maintained by the National Institutes of Health at www.ClinicalTrials.gov. We are subject to various environmental, health and safety regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures and the handling, use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances. From time to time, and in the future, our operations may involve the use of hazardous materials.

Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of available statutory and regulatory exemptions, it is possible that some of our business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the federal and state laws described above or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including criminal and significant civil monetary penalties, damages, fines, imprisonment, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, injunctions, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, denial or withdrawal of pre-marketing product approvals, private “qui tam” actions brought by individual whistleblowers in the name of the government or refusal to allow us to enter into supply contracts, including government contracts, integrity oversight and reporting obligations to resolve allegations of non-compliance, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations. To the extent that any of our products are sold in a foreign country, we may be subject to similar foreign laws and regulations, which may include, for instance, applicable post- marketing requirements, including safety surveillance, anti-fraud and abuse laws, and implementation of corporate compliance programs and reporting of payments or transfers of value to healthcare professionals.

U.S. Marketing Exclusivity

Hatch-Waxman Exclusivity. Market exclusivity provisions under the FDCA can also delay the submission or the approval of certain applications of other companies seeking to reference another company’s NDA. If the new drug is a new chemical entity subject to an NDA, the FDCA provides a five-year period of non-patent marketing exclusivity within the United States to the first applicant to obtain approval of an NDA for a new chemical entity. A drug is a new chemical entity if the FDA has not previously approved any other new drug containing the same active moiety, which is the molecule or ion responsible for the action of the drug substance. This definition is currently under FDA review. During the exclusivity period, the FDA may not accept for review an ANDA or a Section 505(b)(2) NDA submitted by another company for another version of such drug where the applicant does not own or have a legal right of reference to all the data required for approval. However, such an application may be submitted after four years if it contains a certification of patent invalidity or non-infringement to one of the patents listed with the FDA by the innovator NDA holder. The FDCA also provides three years of marketing exclusivity for an NDA, or supplement to an existing NDA, if new clinical investigations, other than bioavailability studies, that were conducted or sponsored by the applicant are deemed by the FDA to be essential to the approval of the application, such as new indications, dosages or strengths of an existing drug. This three-year exclusivity covers only the conditions associated with the new clinical investigations and does not prohibit the FDA from approving ANDAs for drugs containing the original active agent. Five-year and three-year exclusivity will not delay the submission or approval of a full NDA. However, an applicant submitting a full NDA would be required to conduct or obtain a right of reference to all of the preclinical studies and adequate and well-controlled clinical trials necessary to demonstrate safety and effectiveness.

Pediatric Exclusivity. Pediatric exclusivity is another type of regulatory market exclusivity in the United States. Pediatric exclusivity, if granted, adds six months to any existing exclusivity period or patent

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term. This six-month exclusivity may be granted by the FDA based on the completion of a pediatric clinical trial in accordance with provisions of the FDCA.

Europe/Rest of World Government Regulation

In addition to regulations in the United States, we will be subject to a variety of regulations in other jurisdictions governing, among other things, clinical trials, pricing and reimbursement, anti-bribery, advertising and promotion, data privacy and security and any commercial sales and distribution of our future products.

Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain the requisite approvals from regulatory authorities in foreign countries prior to the commencement of clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. Certain countries outside of the United States have a similar process that requires the submission of a clinical trial application much like the IND prior to the commencement of human clinical trials.

In the EEA, for example, a clinical trial application (“CTA”) must be submitted to each country’s national health authority and an independent ethics committee, much like the FDA and IRB, respectively. Once the CTA is approved in accordance with the EU Clinical Trials Directive 2001/20/EC (the “Clinical Trials Directive”) and the related national implementing provisions of the relevant individual EEA country’s requirements, the clinical trial described in that CTA may proceed.

In April 2014, the new Clinical Trials Regulation, (EU) No 536/2014 (the “Clinical Trials Regulation”) was adopted. The Clincial Trials Regulation entered into force on January 31, 2022. The Clinical Trials Regulation is directly applicable in all the EEA countries, repealing the current Clinical Trials Directive. The new Clinical Trials Regulation allows a sponsor to start and conduct a clinical trial in accordance with the Clinical Trials Directive during a transitional period of one year after the application date, i.e. January 31, 2022. The transition period for the trials ongoing at the moment of applicability will be a maximum of 3 years after the date of application of the Clinical Trials Regulation. Clinical trials authorized under the current Clinical Trials Directive before January 31, 2023 can continue to be conducted under the Clinical Trials Directive until January 31, 2025. An application to transition ongoing trials from the current Clinical Trials Directive to the new Clinical Trials Regulation will need to be submitted and authorized in time before the end of the transitional period. The new Clinical Trials Regulation is intended to simplify and streamline the approval of clinical trials in the EEA. The main characteristics of the regulation include: a streamlined application procedure through a single entry point, the “EU portal”; a single set of documents to be prepared and submitted for the application as well as simplified reporting procedures for clinical trial sponsors; and a harmonized procedure for the assessment of applications for clinical trials, which is divided into two parts.

For other countries outside of the EEA, such as countries in Eastern Europe, Latin America or Asia, the requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials vary from country to country. Internationally, clinical trials are generally required to be conducted in accordance with GCP, applicable regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction and the medical ethics principles that have their origins in the Declaration of Helsinki.

In the EEA, medicinal products can be commercialized only after obtaining a Marketing Authorization (“MA”). There are several procedures for requesting marketing authorization which can be more efficient than applying for authorization on a country-by-country basis. There is a “centralized” procedure allowing submission of a single marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency (the “EMA”). If the EMA issues a positive opinion, the European Commission will grant a centralized marketing authorization that is valid in all EEA countries.

The “centralized” procedure is mandatory for certain types of products, such as biotechnology medicinal products, orphan medicinal products, and medicinal products containing a new active substance indicated for the treatment of AIDS, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, auto-immune and viral diseases. The “centralized” procedure is optional for products containing a new active substance not yet authorized in the EEA, or for products that constitute a significant therapeutic, scientific or technical innovation or which are in the interest of public health in the EEA.

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There is also a “decentralized” procedure allowing companies to file identical applications to several EEA countries simultaneously for product candidates that have not yet been authorized in any EEA country and a “mutual recognition” procedure allowing companies that have a product already authorized in one EEA country to apply for that authorization to be recognized by the competent authorities in other EEA countries. Under the “decentralized” procedure, an identical dossier is submitted to the competent authorities of each of the EEA countries in which the MA is sought, one of which is selected by the applicant as the Reference Member State (“RMS”). If the RMS proposes to authorize the product, and the other EEA countries do not raise objections, the product is authorized in all the EEA countries where the authorization was sought. Before granting the MA, the EMA or the competent authorities of the EEA countries make an assessment of the risk-benefit balance of the product on the basis of scientific criteria concerning its quality, safety and efficacy.

In many countries outside the United States, procedures to obtain price approvals, coverage and reimbursement can take considerable time after the receipt of a MA. Many EEA countries periodically review their reimbursement of medicinal products, which could have an adverse impact on reimbursement status. In addition, we expect that legislators, policymakers and healthcare insurance funds in the EEA countries will continue to propose and implement cost-containing measures, such as lower maximum prices, lower or lack of reimbursement coverage and incentives to use cheaper, usually generic, products as an alternative to branded products, and/or branded products available through parallel import to keep healthcare costs down. Moreover, in order to obtain reimbursement for our products in some EEA countries, including some EU Member States, we may be required to compile additional data comparing the cost-effectiveness of our products to other available therapies. Health Technology Assessment (“HTA”) of medicinal products is becoming an increasingly common part of the pricing and reimbursement procedures in some EEA countries, including those representing the larger markets. The HTA process, which is currently governed by national laws in each EEA country, is the procedure to assess therapeutic, economic and societal impact of a given medicinal product in the national healthcare systems of the individual country. The outcome of an HTA will often influence the pricing and reimbursement status granted to these medicinal products by the competent authorities of individual EEA countries. The extent to which pricing and reimbursement decisions are influenced by the HTA of the specific medicinal product currently varies between EEA countries, although the HTA Regulation, which aims to harmonize the clinical benefit assessment of HTA across the EEA, will apply from January 12, 2025. If we are unable to maintain favorable pricing and reimbursement status in EEA countries that represent significant markets, our anticipated revenue from and growth prospects for our products in the EEA could be negatively affected.

Outside the United States, interactions between pharmaceutical companies and physicians are also governed by strict laws, such as national anti-bribery laws of EEA countries, national sunshine rules, regulations, industry self-regulation codes of conduct and physicians’ codes of professional conduct. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in reputational risk, public reprimands, administrative penalties, fines or imprisonment.

In the EEA, the advertising and promotion of our products are subject to laws governing promotion of medicinal products, interactions with physicians, misleading and comparative advertising and unfair commercial practices. For example, applicable laws require that promotional materials and advertising in relation to medicinal products comply with the product’s Summary of Product Characteristics (“SmPC”), as approved by the competent authorities in connection with a marketing authorization approval. The SmPC is the document that provides information to physicians concerning the safe and effective use of the product. Promotional activity that does not comply with the SmPC is considered off-label and is prohibited in the EEA. Other applicable laws at the EEA level and in the individual EU Member States also apply to the advertising and promotion of medicinal products, including laws that prohibit the direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription-only medicinal products and further limit or restrict the advertising and promotion of our products to the general public and to health care professionals. Violations of the rules governing the promotion of medicinal products in the EEA could be penalized by administrative measures, fines and imprisonment.

In addition to data privacy and security regulations in the United States, we may be subject to, or our marketing activities may be limited by, data privacy and security regulations in the EEA where the legislative and regulatory landscape continues to evolve. There has been increased attention to privacy and data

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security issues that could potentially affect our business, including the GDPR which imposes strict obligations on the processing of personal data, including relating to the transfer of personal data from the EEA to third countries such as the United States. If we act in violation of the GDPR we may face significant penalties of up to 10,000,000 Euros or up to 2% of our total worldwide annual turnover for certain violations, or up to 20,000,000 Euros or up to 4% of our total worldwide annual turnover for more serious violations.

These data privacy and security regulations, including the GDPR, generally restrict the transfer of personal data from Europe, including the EEA, United Kingdom and Switzerland, to the United States and most other countries unless the parties to the transfer have implemented specific safeguards to protect the transferred personal data. One of the primary safeguards allowing U.S. companies to import personal data from Europe had been certification to the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield frameworks administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce. However, the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield was invalidated in July 2020 by the Court of Justice of the European Union (the “CJEU”) in a case known colloquially as “Schrems II.” Following this decision, the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (the “FDPIC”) announced that the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield does not provide adequate safeguards for the purposes of personal data transfers from Switzerland to the United States. While the FDPIC does not have authority to invalidate the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield regime, the FDPIC’s announcement casts doubt on the viability of the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield as a future compliance mechanism for Swiss-U.S. data transfers. The CJEU’s decision in Schrems II also raised questions about whether one of the primary alternatives to the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, namely, the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses, can lawfully be used for personal data transfers from Europe to the United States or other third countries that are not the subject of an adequacy decision of the European Commission. While the CJEU upheld the adequacy of the Standard Contractual Clauses in principle in Schrems II, it made clear that reliance on those Clauses alone may not necessarily be sufficient in all circumstances. Use of the Standard Contractual Clauses must now be assessed on a case-by-case basis taking into account the legal regime applicable in the destination country, in particular regarding applicable surveillance laws and relevant rights of individuals with respect to the transferred data. In the context of any given transfer, where the legal regime applicable in the destination country may or does conflict with the intended operation of the Standard Contractual Clauses and/or applicable European law, the decision in Schrems II and subsequent draft guidance from the European Data Protection Board (the “EDPB”) would require the parties to that transfer to implement certain supplementary technical, organizational and/or contractual measures to rely on the Standard Contractual Clauses as a compliant “transfer mechanism.” However, the draft guidance from the EDPB on such supplementary technical, organizational and/or contractual measures appears to conclude that no combination of such measures could be sufficient to allow effective reliance on the Standard Contractual Clauses in the context of transfers of personal data “in the clear” to recipients in countries where the power granted to public authorities to access the transferred data goes beyond that which is “necessary and proportionate in a democratic society” — which may, following the CJEU’s conclusions in Schrems II on relevant powers of United States public authorities and commentary in that draft EDPB guidance, include the United States in certain circumstances (e.g., where Section 702 of the US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act applies). At present, there are few, if any, viable alternatives to the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield and the Standard Contractual Clauses. However, the CJEU recently invalidated the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield. The decision in Schrems II also affects transfers from the United Kingdom to the United States.

As such, if we are unable to implement a valid solution for personal data transfers from Europe, including, for example, obtaining individuals’ explicit consent to transfer their personal data from Europe to the United States or other countries, we will face increased exposure to regulatory actions, substantial fines and injunctions against processing personal data from Europe. Inability to import personal data from Europe may also restrict our clinical trials activities in Europe; limit our ability to collaborate with contract research organizations as well as other service providers, contractors and other companies subject to European data privacy and security laws; and require us to increase our data processing capabilities in Europe at significant expense. Additionally, other countries outside of Europe have enacted or are considering enacting similar cross-border data transfer restrictions and laws requiring local data residency, which could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services and operating our business. The types of challenges we face in Europe will likely also arise in other jurisdictions that adopt laws similar in construction to the GDPR or regulatory frameworks of equivalent complexity.

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If we fail to comply with applicable foreign regulatory requirements, we may be subject to, among other things, fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecution.

Employees and Human Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2022, we had approximately 76 full-time employees, including four employees who have M.D.s or Ph.D.s. Within our workforce, two employees were primarily engaged in research and development, 64 were primarily engaged in sales and marketing and two were primarily engaged in general management and administration. None of our employees are represented by labor unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that we maintain good relationships with our employees.

We focus on identifying, attracting, incentivizing, developing and retaining an exceptional team of highly talented and motivated employees to support our current product pipeline and future business goals. In order to drive innovation, we continuously improve our human capital management strategies and find ways to foster engagement and growth within our company.

We regularly benchmark total rewards we provide against our industry peers to ensure we offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to our employees and potential new hires. The principal purposes of our equity and cash incentive plans are to attract, retain and reward selected personnel through the granting of stock-based and cash-based compensation awards, as well as provide our employees with the opportunity to participate in our employee stock purchase plan, in order to increase stockholder value and the success of our company by motivating such individuals to perform to the best of their abilities and achieve our objectives. We strive to build a diverse environment where our employees can thrive and one that inspires exceptional contributions and professional and personal development in order to achieve our vision to become the leading pain management company that can have a transformative impact on patients’ lives. The success of our business is fundamentally connected to the well-being, health and safety of our employees. In an effort to protect the health and safety of our employees, we took proactive action from the earliest signs of the COVID-19 outbreak, which included implementing social distancing policies at our facilities, facilitating remote working arrangements, requiring proof of vaccination or acceptable exemption, and imposing employee travel restrictions.

We expect our employees to continue as employees of the combined company following the Business Combination, and we plan to continue to develop our efforts related to attracting, retaining and motivating our workforce as we grow and develop.

Facilities and Properties

Our principal executive office is currently located in Palo Alto, California, and consists of approximately 6,000 square feet of leased office space. The lease term expires in October 2024. We also sublease office space in San Diego, California. We believe our facilities are adequate to meet our current needs, although we may seek to negotiate new leases or evaluate additional or alternate space for our operations. We believe appropriate additional or alternative space will be available on commercially reasonable terms.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time we may become involved in various legal proceedings, including those that may arise in the ordinary course of business.

Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC and Hisamitsu America, Inc. Litigation

On February 23, 2021, we filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC and Hisamitsu America, Inc., two manufacturers of OTC lidocaine patch products, alleging, among other things, false and deceptive advertising and unfair competition under the Lanham Act and California state laws by those companies regarding their respective OTC patch products (the “Sanofi-Aventis & Hisamitsu Litigation”). This lawsuit seeks, among other relief, damages and an injunction enjoining the defendants from continuing to make false or misleading statements of fact about their respective OTC lidocaine patch products. The defendants have filed motions to dismiss, which

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have narrowed slightly our claims, but which motions the court has largely rejected. Discovery is proceeding. The case is currently scheduled for trial to begin on July 24, 2023. Scilex cannot make any predictions about the outcome in this matter or the timing thereof.

Former Employee Litigation

On March 12, 2021, we filed an action in the Delaware Court of Chancery against Anthony Mack, former President of Scilex Pharma, and Virpax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Virpax”), a company now headed by Mr. Mack, alleging, among other things, breach by Mr. Mack of his non-compete agreement with the Company, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference by Virpax with that non-compete agreement (the “Former Employee Litigation”). This lawsuit seeks, among other relief, damages and an injunction enjoining Mr. Mack from further violating his non-compete agreement and enjoining Virpax from tortiously interfering with Mr. Mack’s non-compete agreement. The parties have conducted extensive discovery in the case, which is currently scheduled for trial to begin on September 12, 2022. Scilex cannot make any predictions about the outcome in this matter or the timing thereof.

ZTlido Patent Litigation

On June 22, 2022, we filed a complaint against Aveva Drug Delivery Systems, Inc., Apotex Corp., and Apotex, Inc. (together, “Aveva”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (the “Aveva Patent Litigation”) alleging infringement of certain Orange Book listed patents covering ZTlido (the “ZTlido Patents”). The Aveva Patent Litigation was initiated following the submission by Aveva, in accordance with the procedures set out in the Hatch-Waxman Act, of an ANDA. Aveva’s ANDA seeks approval to market a generic version of ZTlido prior to the expiration of the ZTlido Patents and alleges that the ZTlido Patents are invalid, unenforceable, and/or not infringed. Scilex is seeking, among other relief, an order that the effective date of any FDA approval of Aveva’s ANDA be no earlier than the expiration of the asserted patents listed in the Orange Book, the latest of which expires on May 10, 2031, and such further and other relief as the court may deem appropriate. Aveva is subject to a 30-month stay preventing it from selling a generic version of ZTlido during that time. The stay should expire no earlier than November 11, 2024. Trial in the Aveva Patent Litigation has not yet been scheduled. Scilex cannot make any predictions about the final outcome of this matter or the timing thereof.

Our Corporate History

We were incorporated in Delaware in February 2019 for the purpose of effecting a corporate reorganization. On March 18, 2019, we entered into a Contribution and Loan Agreement with Sorrento and the holders of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Scilex Pharma pursuant to which we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Scilex Pharma in exchange for shares of our common stock (such transaction, the “Contribution”). Pursuant to the Contribution and Loan Agreement, Sorrento provided us with a loan with an initial principal amount of $16.5 million in the form of a note payable, which loan was used to fund the acquisition of Semnur. Concurrently therewith, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Semnur, Sigma Merger Sub, Inc., our prior wholly-owned subsidiary, Fortis Advisors LLC, solely as representative of the holders of Semnur equity, and Sorrento, for limited purposes (as amended, the “Semnur Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Semnur Merger Agreement, Sigma Merger Sub, Inc. merged with and into Semnur (such transaction, the “Semnur Merger”), with Semnur surviving the Semnur Merger as our wholly-owned subsidiary. As a result of the Contribution and the Semnur Merger, Scilex Pharma and Semnur became our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Prior to the Contribution and the Semnur Merger, our operations were conducted through Scilex Pharma, which was formed in September 2012. Semnur was formed in June 2013.

Vickers is an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we are eligible for exemptions from various reporting requirements 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 and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF SCILEX

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Scilex” to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Scilex,” and “the Company” generally refer to Scilex Holding Company, together with its subsidiaries, in the present tense or New Scilex from and after the Business Combination.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Scilex” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors. We discuss factors that we believe could cause or contribute to these differences below and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, including those set forth in the sections of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a commercial biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing non-opioid therapies for patients with acute and chronic pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 51.4 million adults in the United States suffered from chronic pain in 2019. We target indications with high unmet needs and large market opportunities with non-opioid therapies for the treatment of patients with acute and chronic pain. We launched our first commercial product in October 2018 and are developing our late-stage pipeline. Our commercial product, ZTlido, is a prescription lidocaine topical product approved by the FDA for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with PHN, which is a form of post-shingles nerve pain. ZTlido possesses novel delivery and adhesion technology designed to address many of the limitations of current prescription lidocaine patches by providing significantly improved adhesion and continuous pain relief throughout the 12-hour administration period. We market ZTlido through a dedicated sales force of 60-70 sales representatives, targeting 10,000 primary care physicians, pain specialists, neurologists and palliative care physicians, who we believe treat the majority of PHN patients.

Our development pipeline consists of three product candidates, (i) SP-102 (10 mg, dexamethasone sodium phosphate viscous gel), a Phase 3, novel, viscous gel formulation of a widely used corticosteroid for epidural injections to treat lumbosacral radicular pain, or sciatica, (ii) SP-103 (lidocaine topical system) 5.4%, a Phase 2, next-generation, triple-strength formulation of ZTlido, for the treatment of acute LBP, and (iii) SP-104 (4.5 mg, low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release capsules), a novel low-dose delayed-release naltrexone hydrochloride formulation for treatment of fibromyalgia, for which Phase 1 trials were completed in the second quarter of 2022 and a Phase 2 clinical trial is expected to commence in the second half of 2022. SEMDEXA has been granted fast track designation by the FDA and, if approved, could become the first FDA-approved alternative to off-label ESIs, which are administered over 12 million times annually in the United States. Top-line results from the completed Phase 3 study have been received in November 2021 and reflected achievement of primary and secondary endpoints. SP-103 is a triple-strength lidocaine topical system designed to deliver a dose of lidocaine threefold higher than any lidocaine topical product that we are aware of, either approved or in development. We are studying SP-103 as a treatment for acute LBP, a condition with high unmet need, which, as of 2019, affected over 22 million patients in the United States. According to the CDC in 2020, LBP was the most common type of pain reported by patients, with 25% of U.S. adults reporting LBP in the prior 3 months. We initiated a Phase 2 trial of SP-103 in acute LBP in the second quarter of our fiscal year 2022.

We currently contract with third parties for the manufacture, assembly, testing, packaging, storage and distribution of our product. We obtain our commercial supply of ZTlido, clinical supply of our product candidates and certain of the raw materials used in our product candidates from sole or single source suppliers and manufacturers. As of March 31, 2022, we relied on a single third-party logistics distribution provider, Cardinal Health, for ZTlido distribution in the United States. Cardinal Health purchased and shipped ZTlido to customer wholesale distribution centers. Cardinal Health also performed order management services on

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our behalf. On April 2, 2022, we announced the expansion of our direct distribution network to national and regional wholesalers and pharmacies. Cardinal Health will continue to provide traditional third-party logistics functions for Scilex.

Since our inception, we have invested substantial efforts and financial resources on acquiring product and technology rights while building our intellectual property portfolio and infrastructure. We acquired Semnur and its lead product candidate, SEMDEXA, in the first quarter of 2019, and we intend to continue to explore and evaluate additional opportunities such as these to grow our business. We have incurred significant operating losses as a result of such investment efforts, including the development of SEMDEXA, conducting of Phase 3 trials for SEMDEXA, and the development of SP-103. Our ability to generate revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend on the successful commercialization of our product, ZTlido, and the development of our product candidates. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, our net loss was $88.4 million, $47.5 million and $178.6 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, our net loss was $9.1 million and $19.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $361.7 million. As of March 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $33.6 million. Under the Scilex Pharma Notes, effective February 14, 2022, Scilex Pharma is required to maintain a minimum unrestricted cash balance of $10.0 million at the end of each calendar month.

We expect to continue to make investments in our sales and marketing organization and expand digital marketing efforts to broaden awareness of ZTlido and GLOPERBA and in research and development, clinical trials and regulatory affairs to develop our product candidates, SEMDEXA, SP-103, and SP-104 (which product candidate we acquired from Sorrento in May 2022). As a result, we will need substantial additional funding to support our continuing operations and pursue our growth strategy. Until we can generate significant revenue, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, government contracts or other strategic transactions. We may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such agreements or arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If adequate funds on acceptable terms are not available when needed, we may be required to reduce the scope of the commercialization of ZTlido and GLOPERBA or delay, scale back or discontinue the development of one or more of our product candidates.

Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on our business. In an effort to protect the health and safety of our employees, we took proactive action from the earliest signs of the outbreak, including implementing social distancing policies at our facilities, facilitating remote working arrangements and imposing employee travel restrictions. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact our business, clinical trials and sales of ZTlido will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the disease.

Comparability of Our Results and Our Relationship with Sorrento

We currently operate as a majority-owned subsidiary of Sorrento. As a result, our historical financial statements may not be reflective of what our results of operations would have been had we been a stand-alone public company and no longer a majority-owned subsidiary of Sorrento. In particular, certain legal, finance, human resources and other functions have historically been provided to us by Sorrento at cost plus an agreed-upon markup. We expect that Sorrento will continue to provide us with some of the services related to these functions on a transitional basis in exchange for agreed-upon fees, and we expect to incur other costs to replace the services and resources that will not be provided by Sorrento. We will also incur additional costs as a stand-alone public company. As a stand-alone public company, our total costs related to certain support functions may differ from the costs that were historically allocated to us from Sorrento. In addition, in the future, we expect to incur internal costs to implement certain new systems, including infrastructure and an enterprise resource planning system, while our legacy systems are currently being fully supported by Sorrento.

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Components of Our Results of Operations

Net Revenue

Net revenue consists solely of product sales of ZTlido in the United States. For product sales of ZTlido, we record gross-to-net sales adjustments for government and commercial rebates, chargebacks, wholesaler and distributor fees, sales returns, special marketing programs, and prompt payment discounts. We expect that any net revenue we generate will fluctuate from year to year as a result of the unpredictability of the demand for our product.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue consists of the cost of purchasing ZTlido from our manufacturing partners and inventory write-downs related to expiration dates for on-hand inventory. We expect the cost of revenue to fluctuate with related sales revenue.

Research and Development.

Research and development expenses are expensed when incurred and consist primarily of costs incurred for our research activities, including the development of our product candidates, and include:

•

costs related to clinical trials;

•

salaries, benefits and other related costs, including stock-based compensation expense for personnel engaged in research and development functions; and

•

costs related to outside consultants.

We expect our research and development expenses to increase, as we will incur incremental expenses associated with our product candidates that are currently under development and in clinical trials. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. Accordingly, we expect to incur significant research and development expenses in connection with our ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial for SEMDEXA, our planned Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials for SP-103, and initiation of Phase 2 trials for SP-104. Because we acquired SP-104 from Sorrento in May 2022, no research and development expenses for SP-104 have been recognized in our historical financial statements for the periods presented in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Acquired In-process Research and Development

The Company has acquired and may continue to acquire the rights to develop and commercialize new product candidates. The up-front payments to acquire a new drug compound or drug delivery device, as well as future milestone payments associated with asset acquisitions that do not meet the definition of a derivative and are deemed probable to achieve the milestones, are immediately expensed as acquired in-process research and development provided that the drug has not achieved regulatory approval for marketing and, absent obtaining such approval, have no alternative future use. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination that are used for in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) activities are considered indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts. Upon commercialization of the relevant research and development project, the Company amortizes the acquired IPR&D over its estimated useful life. Capitalized IPR&D is reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently as changes in circumstance or the occurrence of events suggest that the remaining value may not be recoverable.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of costs related to our contract sales force, salaries and other related costs, including stock-based compensation, for personnel in our executive,

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marketing, finance, corporate and business development and administrative functions. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include professional fees for legal, patent, accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services, travel expenses and facility-related expenses, which include direct depreciation costs and allocated expenses from Sorrento for rent and maintenance of facilities and other operating costs.

We expect that our selling, general and administrative expenses will vary year over year in the future as we adapt our commercial strategies to changes in the business environment. We also expect to incur increased expenses as a result of the Business Combination and operating as a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, and listing standards applicable to companies listed on a national securities exchange, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services. We also expect to adjust the size of our administrative, finance and legal functions to adapt to the changes above and the anticipated growth of our business.

Intangible Amortization Expense

Intangible amortization expense consists of the amortization expense of intangible assets recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Our intangible assets, excluding goodwill, are composed of patent rights, acquired in-process research and development and assembled workforce.

Other Expense

Gain on Derivative Liability

Gain on derivative liability consists of the changes to fair value of derivative liabilities between reporting periods relating to certain embedded derivative features within the Scilex Pharma Notes, and is recorded as other income or expense. See Note 8 titled “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Certain Transactions of Scilex — Indenture and Letter of Credit” for a description of the Scilex Pharma Notes.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment, Net

Loss on debt extinguishment, net consists of losses incurred as a result of exercising our optional prepayment right under the Scilex Pharma Notes, which is treated as a partial extinguishment, offset, for the year ended December 31, 2021, by a gain on debt extinguishment as a result of the forgiveness of the loan in the amount of $1.6 million received from Bank of America in May 2020 pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act (the “PPP Loan”).

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of interest related to the Scilex Pharma Notes and related party notes payable to Sorrento.

Loss on Foreign Currency Exchange

Loss on foreign currency exchange relates to foreign exchange losses on payments made to our foreign supplier, Itochu, a manufacturer and supplier of lidocaine tape products, including ZTlido and SP-103.

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Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,									Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)	2021			2020			2019			2022			2021
Statements of Operations Data:
Net revenue		$	31,317		$	23,560		$	21,033		$	6,812		$	5,517
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue			3,634			2,149			5,802			1,144			852
Research and development			9,201			9,961			10,216			2,631			2,719
Acquired in-process research and development			—			—			75,301			—			—
Selling, general and administrative			50,582			42,970			64,696			10,908			12,341
Intangible amortization			3,738			3,738			3,713			935			935
Total operating costs and expenses			67,155			58,818			159,728			15,618			16,847
Loss from operations			(35,838)			(35,258)			(138,695)			(8,806)			(11,330)
Other (income) expense:
Loss (gain) on derivative liability			300			(800)			23,300			(7,500)			(2,200)
Loss on debt extinguishment, net			12,463			—			—			4,799			7,070
Scilex Pharma Notes principal increase			28,000			—			—			—			—
Interest expense			11,764			13,116			16,889			3,031			2,862
Interest income			—			—			(460)			—			—
Loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange			54			(2)			168			4			2
Total other expense			52,581			12,314			39,897			334			7,734
Loss before income taxes			(88,419)			(47,572)			(178,592)			(9,140)			(19,064)
Income tax expense (benefit)			5			(53)			2			3			5
Net loss		$	(88,424)		$	(47,519)		$	(178,594)		$	(9,143)		$	(19,069)

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

Net Revenue

Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $6.8 million and $5.5 million, respectively. The increase of $1.3 million was mainly due to an overall increase in gross revenues which was partially offset by an increase in rebates.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and relate to product sales. The increase of $0.2 million reflects the increase in gross revenue.

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Research and Development Expenses

The following table summarizes research and development expenses by project for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022			2021			Increase (Decrease)
SP-102
Contracted R&D		$	1,086		$	2,192		$	(1,106)
Personnel			123			147			(24)
SP-102			1,209			2,339			(1,130)
SP-103
Contracted R&D			1,128			254			874
Personnel			294			126			168
SP-103			1,422			380			1,042
Total Research and Development Expenses		$	2,631		$	2,719		$	(88)

Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $2.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The $0.1 million decrease in research and development expenses was primarily attributed to the completion of Phase 3 SP-102 trials in November 2021 and was partially offset by clinical start-up costs in the development of SP-103 beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $10.9 million and $12.3 million, respectively. The decrease of approximately $1.4 million was primarily due to a $0.8 million decrease in commercial operations, $0.4 million decrease in marketing expense, and a $0.4 million decrease in legal expense, offset by a $0.2 million increase in travel and entertainment expenses.

Intangible Amortization Expense

Intangible amortization expense for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0.9 million, which is related to the amortization of developed technology upon commercialization of ZTlido.

Gain on Derivative Liability

Gain on derivative liability for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $7.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The gain recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was attributed to changes in the fair value of our derivative liability pertaining to the Scilex Pharma Notes due to revised probabilities related to marketing approval timing for SP-103 and revised sales forecasts.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment, Net

Loss on debt extinguishment, net for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $4.8 million and $7.1 million, respectively. The loss incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was attributed to Scilex Pharma's repurchase of the Scilex Pharma Notes from the holders thereof on a pro rata basis in an aggregate amount equal to $20.0 million in February 2021.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $3.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The $0.1 million increase in interest expense was primarily due to the $0.3 million decrease in interest expense incurred on the Scilex Pharma Notes offset by a $0.4 million increase in interest expense related to related party notes with Sorrento.

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Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $3.4 thousand and $5.0 thousand, respectively.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Net Revenue

Net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $31.3 million and $23.6 million, respectively. The increase of $7.7 million was due to increased product sales of ZTlido.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $3.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively, and relate to product sales. The increase of $1.5 million is mainly due to the temporary switch of shipping method from ocean to air shipment in 2021.

Research and Development Expenses

The following table summarizes research and development expenses by project for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2021			2020			Increase (Decrease)
SP-102
Contracted R&D		$	5,952		$	6,641		$	(689)
Personnel			555			395			160
SP-102			6,507			7,036			(529)
SP-103
Contracted R&D			1,816			1,128			688
Personnel			878			1,797			(919)
SP-103			2,694			2,925			(231)
Total Research and Development Expenses		$	9,201		$	9,961		$	(760)

Research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $9.2 million and $10.0 million, respectively. The $0.8 million decrease in research and development expenses was attributed to the completion of Phase 3 SP-102 trials in November 2021 as well as CMC and regulatory related expenses incurred in 2020 to prepare for SP-103 clinical trials in 2021.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $50.6 million and $43.0 million, respectively. The increase of approximately $7.6 million was primarily due to $4.0 million in additional expenses in marketing and commercial operations, $7.6 million in legal and audit fees, and $1.2 million in additional other administrative expenses, offset by $5.2 million of savings in sales expenses as a result of realigning our “sales force” territories resulting in the significant reduction of salesforce. The $7.6 million increase in legal and audit fees was primarily due to a $6.6 million increase in litigation expenses related to the Sanofi-Aventis & Hisamitsu Litigation and the Former Employee Litigation, where the Company is the plaintiff, and $1.0 million increase in legal intellectual property and other legal corporate matters. The $4.0 million increase in additional expenses in marketing and commercial operations was due to $1.4 million increase in product promotion expenses, $1.0 million increase in dues and subscriptions, $1.0 million increase in consulting expenses and $0.6 million increase in personnel cost.

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Intangible Amortization Expense

Intangible amortization expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $3.7 million, which is related to the amortization of developed technology upon commercialization of ZTlido.

Loss (Gain) on Derivative Liability

Loss (gain) on derivative liability for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.3 million and $(0.8) million, respectively. The loss incurred during the year ended December 31, 2021 was attributed to changes in the fair value of our derivative liability pertaining to the Scilex Pharma Notes due to revised probabilities related to marketing approval timing for SP-103 and revised sales forecasts.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment, Net

Loss on debt extinguishment net for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $12.5 million. The loss incurred was attributed to the Company’s exercise of the optional principal repurchase payments on the Scilex Pharma Notes, offset by a gain on debt extinguishment of $1.5 million related to the forgiveness on the entire PPP Loan.

Scilex Pharma Notes Principal Increase

The principal increase on the Scilex Pharma Notes for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $28.0 million. Actual cumulative net sales of ZTlido from the issue date of the Scilex Pharma Notes through December 31, 2021 did not equal or exceed $481.0 million. As a result, the Company recorded the increase of $28.0 million in principal as non-operating expense at December 31, 2021.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $11.8 million and $13.1 million, respectively. The $1.3 million decrease in interest expense was primarily due to the $2.8 million decrease in interest expense incurred on the Scilex Pharma Notes partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in interest expense related to related party notes with Sorrento and $0.4 million increase in interest expense related to the CNH Revolving Loan during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $5 thousand and $(53) thousand, respectively.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Net Revenue

Net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $23.6 million and $21.0 million, respectively. The increase of $2.6 million was due to product sales of ZTlido, which was commercially launched in October 2018.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $2.1 million and $5.8 million, respectively, and relate to product sales. The decrease of $3.7 million is mainly due to establishing an E&O inventory provision in 2019 for short-dated products.

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Research and Development Expenses

The following table summarizes research and development expenses by project for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			Increase (Decrease)
SP-102
Contracted R&D		$	6,641		$	7,249		$	(608)
Personnel			395			22			373
SP-102			7,036			7,271			(235)
SP-103
Contracted R&D			1,128			997			131
Personnel			1,797			1,948			(151)
SP-103			2,925			2,945			(20)
Total Research and Development Expenses		$	9,961		$	10,216		$	(255)

Research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $10.0 million and $10.2 million, respectively. The $0.2 million decrease was primarily due to a slow down of clinical activities in the development of SP-102 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acquired In-process Research and Development Expenses

Acquired IPR&D expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $0 and $75.3 million, respectively. The decrease was due to acquired IPR&D expenses associated with our acquisition of Semnur’s assets in March 2019.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $43.0 million and $64.7 million, respectively. The decrease of approximately $21.7 million was primarily due to $16.6 million of savings in sales and marketing as a result of realigning our “sales force” territories resulting in the significant reduction of salesforce as well as achieving cost-saving within our marketing programs, a reduction of $2.4 million in third-party services within the market access department, and $2.7 million in savings from lower legal and audit fees.

Intangible Amortization Expense

Intangible amortization expense remained the same at $3.7 million between the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, which is related to the amortization of developed technology upon commercialization of ZTlido.

(Gain) Loss on Derivative Liability

(Gain) loss on derivative liability for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was a gain of $0.8 million and a loss of $23.3 million, respectively. The gain incurred during the year ended December 31, 2020 and loss incurred during the year ended December 31, 2019 was attributed to changes in the fair value of our derivative liability pertaining to the Scilex Pharma Notes due to revised probabilities related to marketing approval timing for SP-103 and revised sales forecasts.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $13.1 million and $16.9 million, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to the $4.4 million decrease in interest expense

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incurred on the Scilex Pharma Notes issued in September 2018 partially offset by a $0.6 million increase in interest expense related to related party notes with Sorrento during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Interest Income

Interest income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0 and $0.5 million, respectively. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower cash balances during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

Income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $(53) thousand and $2 thousand, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $33.6 million. Scilex Pharma is required to maintain a minimum unrestricted cash balance of $10.0 million at the end of each calendar month.

We have funded our operations primarily through the issuance of the Scilex Pharma Notes, related party notes with Sorrento, and the 2020 revolving credit facility. The following table summarizes the aggregate indebtedness of these issuances as of March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

	March 31, 2022			December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Scilex Pharma Notes		$	86,240		$	101,172		$	98,672
Related Party Notes with Sorrento			105,611			43,111			28,411
2020 Revolving Credit Facility			—			8,815			9,471
Total indebtedness		$	191,851		$	153,098		$	136,554

Debt Financings

Scilex Pharma Notes

On September 7, 2018, Scilex Pharma entered into purchase agreements (the “Purchase Agreements”) with certain investors (collectively, the “Purchasers”) and Sorrento, which is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of Scilex’s capital stock. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreements, on September 7, 2018, Scilex Pharma, among other things, issued and sold to the Purchasers senior secured notes due 2026 in an aggregate principal amount of $224.0 million (the “Scilex Pharma Notes”) for an aggregate purchase price of $140.0 million. In connection with the offering, Scilex Pharma entered into the Indenture governing the Scilex Pharma Notes with the Trustee and Collateral Agent, and Sorrento, as guarantor. The Indenture provides that the holders of the Scilex Pharma Notes will be entitled to receive quarterly payments in an amount equal to a fixed percentage, ranging from 15% to 25%, of the net sales of ZTlido for the prior fiscal quarter on each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. As security for the Scilex Pharma Notes, Scilex Pharma has granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Purchasers, a continuing security interest in and lien on Scilex Pharma’s right, title, and interest in and to ZTlido and all property and assets of Scilex Pharma that are necessary for, or otherwise relevant to, now or in the future, the manufacture and sale of ZTlido, on a worldwide basis (exclusive of Japan).

Management identified a number of embedded derivatives that require bifurcation from the Scilex Pharma Notes and were separately accounted for in the consolidated financial statements as derivative liabilities. Certain of these embedded features include default interest provisions, contingent rate increases, contingent put options, optional and automatic acceleration provisions and tax indemnification obligations. The fair value of the derivative liabilities associated with the Scilex Pharma Notes was estimated using the discounted cash flow method under the income approach combined with a Monte Carlo simulation model. This involves significant Level 3 inputs and assumptions, including a risk adjusted net sales forecast, an

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effective debt yield, estimated marketing approval probabilities for SP-103 and an estimated probability of an initial public offering by Scilex that satisfies certain valuation thresholds and timing considerations. We re-evaluate this assessment each reporting period.

The Purchase Agreements and Indenture provide that, upon the occurrence of an event of default, the lenders thereunder may, by written notice, declare all of the outstanding principal and interest under the Indenture immediately due and payable. For purposes of the Indenture, an event of default includes, among other things, (i) a failure to pay any amounts when due under the Indenture, (ii) a breach or other failure to comply with the covenants (including financial, notice and reporting covenants) under the Indenture, (iii) a failure to make any payment on, or other event triggering an acceleration under, other material indebtedness of Sorrento and (iv) the occurrence of certain insolvency or bankruptcy events (both voluntary and involuntary) involving Sorrento or certain of its subsidiaries. We are in compliance with the event of default clauses under the Indenture as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.

On December 14, 2020, Sorrento, Scilex Pharma, the Company, the Trustee and Collateral Agent, and the beneficial owners of the Scilex Pharma Notes and the Purchasers entered into a Consent Under and Amendment No. 3 to Indenture and Letter of Credit (“Amendment No. 3”), which amended: (i) the Indenture, and (ii) the irrevocable standby letter of credit previously issued by Sorrento in favor of Scilex pursuant to the Indenture (as amended, the ‘‘Letter of Credit’’).

On December 14, 2020, and in connection with Amendment No. 3, the aggregate $45.0 million in restricted funds held in previously established reserve and collateral accounts were released and Scilex Pharma utilized such funds to repurchase an aggregate of $45.0 million in principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes. Scilex Pharma also repurchased an aggregate of $20.0 million in principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes on December 16, 2020. Pursuant to the foregoing repurchases, the aggregate principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes was reduced by an aggregate of $65.0 million.

Further related to Amendment No. 3, the holders signatory thereto also consented to Scilex Pharma incurring up to $10.0 million of indebtedness in connection with an accounts receivable revolving loan facility under the CNH Revolving Loan and the incurrence of liens and the pledge of collateral to CNH in connection therewith.

Effective February 14, 2022, Scilex Pharma issued to Sorrento a draw notice under the Letter of Credit as required under the terms of the Indenture because actual cumulative net sales of ZTlido from the issue date of the Scilex Pharma Notes through December 31, 2021 were less than a specified sales threshold for such period. As a result of the draw notice being issued, Sorrento paid to Scilex Pharma $35.0 million in a single lump-sum amount as a subordinated loan and Scilex Pharma became subject to a minimum cash requirement of $10.0 million. Per the terms of Amendment No. 3, in February 2022, Scilex Pharma repurchased Scilex Pharma Notes in an aggregate amount equal to $20.0 million at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount.

Effective February 15, 2022, in accordance with the Indenture, the principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes was increased by $28.0 million as actual cumulative net sales of ZTlido from the issue date of the Scilex Pharma Notes through December 31, 2021 did not equal or exceed a $481.0 million sales threshold for such period.

Quarterly principal payments, based on a percentage of projected net sales of ZTlido, and optional and contingently accelerated repurchases under the Scilex Pharma Notes since January 1, 2021 are as follows (in thousands):

Three Months Ended,	Principal Payments
March 31, 2021*		$	21,267
June 30, 2021*			21,174
September 31, 2021			1,748
December 31, 2021			1,686
March 31, 2022*			21,585
Total payments since January 1, 2021		$	67,460

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Includes $20.0 million repurchase during the period (see “Debt” note to consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus)

The imputed effective interest rate at March 31, 2022 was 8.0%.

On June 2, 2022, Sorrento and Scilex Pharma, entered into a Consent Under and Amendment No. 4 to Indenture (“Amendment No. 4”) with the Trustee, Collateral Agent, and the Purchasers, which amended the Indenture.

Pursuant to Amendment No. 4, (1) on June 3, 2022, Scilex Pharma repurchased approximately $41.4 million of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Scilex Pharma Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof (the “Repurchase”), (2) the Purchasers agreed that Scilex Pharma can repurchase the remaining principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes at any time on or before September 30, 2022 for $41.4 million (subject to reduction for any quarterly royalty payments) and upon such repurchase the Purchasers will forgive and discharge $28.0 million of the aggregate principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes, (3) the minimum cash requirement under the Indenture was reduced to $5.0 million in aggregate unrestricted cash equivalents at the end of each calendar month, and (4) raised the maximum aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time on the promissory note between Sorrento and Scilex Pharma from $25.0 million to $50.0 million. The Company funded the Repurchase with cash-on-hand and $15.0 million received from Sorrento on June 2, 2022, which was recorded under the current related party notes payable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

ZTlido Royalties

In addition to the quarterly royalty payment of net sales of ZTlido associated with the Indenture, Scilex Pharma is a party to the Product Development Agreement with the Developers, pursuant to which the Developers will manufacture and supply lidocaine tape products, including the Products, for Scilex Pharma. Pursuant to the Product Development Agreement, Scilex Pharma is required to make aggregate royalty payments between 25% and 35% to the Developers based on net profits. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex Pharma has made no aggregate royalty payments.

In the event that Scilex Pharma is in a net profit position, as defined in the Product Development Agreement, Scilex Pharma will first attempt to make aggregate royalty payments with cash generated from its operations. If these sources are insufficient, Scilex Pharma may seek to raise additional funds through equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, government contracts or other strategic transactions.

Contingent Consideration

We have $280.0 million in aggregate contingent cash consideration obligations in connection with the Semnur acquisition that are contingent upon achieving certain specified milestones or the occurrence of certain events. Contingent consideration obligations are comprised of a regulatory milestone that will be due upon obtaining the first approval of a NDA of a Semnur product by the FDA and additional payments that will be due upon the achievement of certain amounts of net sales of Semnur products.

Future Liquidity Needs

We have based our anticipated operating capital requirements on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect and we may use all our available capital resources sooner than we expect. The amount and timing of our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, some of which are outside of our control, including but not limited to:

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the costs and expenses associated with our ongoing commercialization efforts for ZTlido and GLOPERBA;

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the degree of success we experience in commercializing ZTlido and GLOPERBA;

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the revenue generated by sales of ZTlido, GLOPERBA and other products that may be approved, if any;

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•

the scope, progress, results and costs of conducting studies and clinical trials for our product candidates, SEMDEXA, SP-103 and SP-104;

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the timing of, and the costs involved in, obtaining regulatory approvals for our product candidates;

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the costs of manufacturing ZTlido, GLOPERBA and our product candidates;

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the timing and amount of any milestone, royalty or other payments we are required to make pursuant to any current or future collaboration or license agreements;

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the extent to which ZTlido, GLOPERBA or any of our product candidates, if approved for commercialization, is adopted by the physician community;

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our need to expand our research and development activities;

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the costs of acquiring, licensing or investing in businesses, product candidates and technologies;

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the effect of competing products and product candidates and other market developments;

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the number and types of future products we develop and commercialize;

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any product liability or other lawsuits related to our products;

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the expenses needed to attract, hire and retain skilled personnel;

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the costs associated with being a public company;

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our need to implement additional internal systems and infrastructure, including financial and reporting systems;

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the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications and maintaining, enforcing and defending intellectual property-related claims; and

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the extent and scope of our general and administrative expenses.

We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, it could result in dilution to our existing stockholders or increased fixed payment obligations. In addition, as a condition to providing additional funds to us, future investors may demand, and may be granted, rights superior to those of existing stockholders. If we incur additional indebtedness, we could become subject to covenants that would restrict our operations and potentially impair our competitiveness, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. Additionally, any future collaborations we enter into with third parties may provide capital in the near term, but we may have to relinquish valuable rights to ZTlido, GLOPERBA or our product candidates or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Any of the foregoing could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may be required to reduce the scope of the commercialization of ZTlido and GLOPERBA or delay, scale back or discontinue the development of one or more of our product candidates.

We anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future as we support our clinical development to expand approved indications, continue our development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, our product candidates, and expand our corporate infrastructure. As a result, we have concluded that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued. See Note 2 titled “Liquidity and Going Concern” to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus for additional information. Proceeds from the Business Combination are dependent on the amount of redemptions by Vickers's public shareholders. Net proceeds from this Business Combination, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, may be insufficient to enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. If these sources are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity

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requirements, we may seek to raise additional funds through equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, government contracts or other strategic transactions.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the periods presented:

	Year Ended December 31,									Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020			2019			2022			2021
Cash Flow Data:
Net cash used for operating activities		$	(28,664)		$	(31,461)		$	(60,421)		$	(10,731)		$	(4,097)
Net cash used for investing activities			—			(25)			(17,624)			—			—
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities			28,163			(19,170)			15,776			39,960			9,677
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		$	(501)		$	(50,656)		$	(62,269)		$	29,229		$	5,580

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used for operating activities was approximately $28.7 million, primarily from our net loss of $88.4 million offset by other non-cash reconciling items of $46.1 million related to depreciation and amortization, principal increase to the Scilex Pharma Notes, stock-based compensation, non-cash operating lease cost, non-cash interest for debt issuance costs and debt discount, interest payments related to the debt discount on the Scilex Pharma Notes, net loss on debt extinguishment, and a loss on derivative liabilities, and by changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided $13.6 million of cash.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used for operating activities was approximately $31.5 million, primarily from our net loss of $47.5 million, offset by other non-cash reconciling items of $9.0 million related to depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation, non-cash operating lease cost, amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount, interest on the Scilex Pharma Notes, and a gain on derivative liabilities, and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $7.0 million of cash.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash used for operating activities was approximately $60.4 million, primarily from our net loss of $178.6 million, which was offset by charges related to acquired IPR&D of $75.3 million, a loss on derivative liability of $23.3 million, other non-cash reconciling items of $23.6 million related to depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation, non-cash operating lease cost and amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount, and changes in operating assets and liabilities that used $4.0 million of cash.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net cash used for operating activities was approximately $10.7 million, primarily from our net loss of $9.1 million, other non-cash reconciling items of $4.8 million related to depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, non-cash operating lease cost, non-cash interest for debt issuance costs and debt discount, interest payments related to the debt discount on the Scilex Pharma Notes, net loss on debt extinguishment, and a gain on derivative liabilities and offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided $3.2 million of cash.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, net cash used for operating activities was approximately $4.1 million, primarily from our net loss of $19.1 million, offset by other non-cash reconciling items of $4.6 million related to depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation, non-cash operating lease cost, amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount, interest on the Scilex Pharma Notes, net loss on debt extinguishment, and a gain on derivative liabilities, and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $10.4 million.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2021, no cash was used for investing activities.

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For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used for investing activities was approximately $25.0 thousand, attributed to property and equipment purchases.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash used for investing activities was approximately $17.6 million, primarily attributed to approximately $17.0 million of cash paid for the acquisition of Semnur-related IPR&D expenses and $0.6 million of property and equipment purchases.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, no cash was used for investing activities.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $28.2 million and was primarily related to $47.9 million in proceeds from related party payables, $47.8 million in proceeds from the CNH Revolving Loan, $14.7 million in proceeds from related party notes payable with Sorrento, and offset by $48.8 million repayment of the CNH Revolving Loan and $33.4 million repayment of the Scilex Pharma Notes.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used by financing activities was approximately $19.2 million and is primarily related to $58.9 million repayment of the Scilex Pharma Notes, offset by $18.4 million in proceeds from related party payables, $11.0 million in proceeds from other loans, and $10.3 million in proceeds from related party notes.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $15.8 million and is primarily related to $16.6 million of related party note proceeds, which were utilized to finance the acquisition of Semnur, plus $5.0 million of promissory note proceeds offset by repayment of the related party notes payable of $3.5 million and $2.3 million repayment of the Scilex Pharma Notes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $40.0 million and is primarily related to $1.5 million in proceeds from related party payables, $62.5 million in proceeds from related party notes payable with Sorrento, $9.9 million in proceeds from the CNH Revolving loan, $0.1 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, offset by $18.8 million repayment on CNH Revolving Loan and $15.2 million repayment of the Scilex Pharma Notes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, net cash used by financing activities was approximately $9.7 million and is primarily related to $16.4 million repayment of the Scilex Pharma Notes, $12.5 million repayment on CNH Revolving Loan, offset by $18.8 million in proceeds from related party payables, $11.7 million in proceeds from the CNH Revolving Loan, and $8.1 million in proceeds from related party notes.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

This management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We continually evaluate our estimates and judgments, the most critical of which are those related to derivative liabilities, income taxes and stock-based compensation and others listed below. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Materially different results can occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known.

While our significant accounting policies are described in greater detail in Note 3 titled “Significant Accounting Policies” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, we believe the following accounting policies and estimates are most critical to aid in understanding and evaluating our reported financial results.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue to date has been generated from product sales of ZTlido. We do not have significant costs associated with obtaining contracts with our customers.

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We recognize revenue when control of the products is transferred to the customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive from the customers in exchange for those products. This process involves identifying the contract with a customer, determining the performance obligations in the contract and the contract price, allocating the contract price to the distinct performance obligations in the contract and recognizing revenue when the performance obligations have been satisfied. A performance obligation is considered distinct from other obligations in a contract when it provides a benefit to the customer either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and is separately identified in the contract. We consider a performance obligation satisfied once we have transferred control of a good or service to the customer, meaning the customer has the ability to use and obtain the benefit of the good or service. We recognize revenue for satisfied performance obligations only when we determine there are no uncertainties regarding payment terms or transfer of control.

Revenue from product sales relates solely to sales of ZTlido. Our performance obligations with respect to sales of ZTlido are satisfied at a certain point in time, and we consider control to have transferred upon delivery to the customer. We consider control to have transferred upon delivery to the customer because, upon delivery, the customer has legal title to the asset, physical possession of the asset has been transferred to the customer, the customer has significant risks and rewards in connection with ownership of the asset, and we have a present right to payment from the customer at that time. Invoicing typically occurs upon shipment and the length of time between invoicing and the date on which payment is due is not significant.

For product sales, we record gross-to-net sales adjustments for commercial and government rebates, fees, and chargebacks, wholesaler and distributor fees, sales returns and prompt payment discounts. Such variable consideration is estimated in the period of the sale and is estimated using a most likely amount approach based primarily upon provisions included in our customer contracts, customary industry practices and current government regulations. Gross-to-net adjustments are generally recorded as contract liabilities under accrued expenses within our consolidated balance sheet.

Rebates

Rebates are discounts that we pay under either government or private health care programs. Government rebate programs include state Medicaid drug rebate programs, the Medicare coverage gap discount programs and the Tricare programs. Commercial rebate and fee programs relate to contractual agreements with commercial healthcare providers, under which we pay rebates and fees for access to and position on that provider’s patient drug formulary. Rebates and chargebacks paid under government programs are generally mandated under law, whereas private rebates and fees are generally contractually negotiated with commercial healthcare providers. Both types of rebates vary over time. We record a reduction to gross product sales at the time the customer takes title to the product based on estimates of expected rebate claims. We monitor the sales trends and adjust for these rebates on a regular basis to reflect the most recent rebate experience and contractual obligations.

Service Fees

We compensate our customers and others in the distribution chain for wholesaler and distribution services. We have determined such services received to date are not distinct from our sale of products to the customers, and therefore, these payments have been recorded as a reduction of revenue.

Product Returns

We are obligated to accept the return of products sold that are damaged or do not meet certain specifications. We may authorize the return of products sold in accordance with the term of its sales contracts, and estimate allowances for such amounts at the time of sale. We estimate the amount of our product sales that may be returned by our customer and record this estimate as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue is recognized. We currently estimate our product returns using historical trends and product return rates typically experienced in the industry.

Co-payment Assistance

Patients who have commercial insurance or pay cash and meet certain eligibility requirements may receive co- payment assistance. We accrue for co-payment assistance based on actual program participation and estimates of program redemption using data provided by third-party administrators.

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Derivative Liability

Derivative liabilities are recorded on our consolidated balance sheets at their fair value on the date of issuance and are revalued on each balance sheet date until such instruments are exercised or expire, with changes in the fair value between reporting periods recorded as other income or expense.

Derivative liabilities result from the Scilex Pharma Notes. For the Scilex Pharma Notes, interest payments and repayments of the principal are based on a percentage of net sales of ZTlido and could be accelerated if certain net sales targets are not met or if marketing approval of SP-103, or a similar product with a lidocaine concentration of not less than 5%, is delayed or in the event of a qualified initial public offering. In estimating the fair value of such financial instruments, we may apply significant assumptions and estimates, including estimates involving future net product sales and timing and probability of marketing approvals and the probability of a qualified initial public offering event, which could be impacted in the future based on market conditions. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value of the derivative liabilities associated with the Scilex Pharma Notes was estimated using the discounted cash flow method combined with a Monte Carlo simulation model. Significant Level 3 assumptions used in the measurement included a 6.5% and 6.2% risk adjusted net sales forecast and an effective debt yield of 16.3% and 15.0%, on March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

We perform a Level 3 based assessment to identify the embedded derivatives that require bifurcation from the Scilex Pharma Notes and separate accounting as a single compound derivative. Certain of these embedded features include default interest provisions, contingent rate increases, contingent put options, optional and automatic acceleration provisions and indemnified taxes. We reevaluate this assessment each reporting period.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 “Compensation — Stock Compensation”, which establishes accounting for equity instruments exchanged for employee and consulting services. Under such provisions, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense, under the straight-line-method, over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant) or non-employee’s vesting period.

For purposes of determining the inputs used in the calculation of stock-based compensation, we use historical data in estimating the expected terms of options and determine an estimate of option volatility based on an assessment of historical volatilities of comparable companies whose share prices are publicly available. We use these estimates as variables in the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Depending upon the number of stock options granted, any fluctuations in these calculations could have a material effect on the results presented in our consolidated statement of operations.

Scilex Common Stock Valuation

As there has been no public market for the Scilex Common Stock to date, the estimated fair value of the Scilex Common Stock was determined by the Scilex Board, considering our most recently available third-party valuations of the Scilex Common Stock and the Scilex Board’s assessment of additional objective and subjective factors that it believed were relevant, and factors that may have changed from the date of the most recent valuation through the date of the stock option grant. Prior to the Business Combination, given the absence of a public trading market for the Scilex Common Stock, the valuations of the Scilex Common Stock were determined in accordance with the “American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Accounting and Valuation Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.” The Scilex Board exercised its reasonable judgment and considered numerous objective and subjective factors to determine the best estimate of fair value of the Scilex Common Stock, including:

•

Independent valuations of the Scilex Common Stock performed at periodic intervals by an independent third-party valuation firm;

•

The likelihood of achieving a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering or sale of the company and the potential value of a strategic merger or sale at different time points, given prevailing market conditions;

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•

Our historical operating and financial performance as well as our estimates of future financial performance, including the regulatory status of ZTlido and GLOPERBA and the timing and probability of continuing growth since commercialization of ZTlido and GLOPERBA under different operational scenarios;

•

The status of research and development efforts;

•

Our stage of development and commercialization and our business strategy;

•

Industry information such as market trends and macro-economic events;

•

Valuations of comparable companies;

•

Adjustments to recognize a relative lack of marketability of the Scilex Common Stock; and

•

Additional objective and subjective factors relating to our business.

The dates of our valuations have not always coincided with the dates of our stock option grants. In determining the exercise prices of the stock options at each grant date, the Scilex Board considered, among other things, the most recent valuations of the Scilex Common Stock and the Scilex Board’s assessment of additional objective and subjective factors we believed were relevant as of the grant date. The additional factors considered when determining any changes in fair value between the most recent valuation and the grant dates included our operating and financial performance and current business conditions.

The assumptions underlying the valuations represented management’s best estimate, which involved inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if we had used significantly different assumptions or estimates, the fair value of the Scilex Common Stock and Scilex’s stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different.

March 17 and March 31, 2019 Valuations

For the valuation performed on March 17, 2019 and March 31, 2019, the fair value of the Scilex Common Stock was estimated using the market and income approaches. Scilex weighted a guideline public company method, a market approach that uses comparable company data and applies to the subject company, equally with a discounted cash flow method, an income approach that derives value by estimating reasonable future cash flows to the equityholders and discounting them to present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Scilex then used the Option Pricing Method (“OPM”) to allocate the concluded equity value amongst the different equity classes and determine the value of Scilex Common Stock. These valuations resulted in a valuation of Scilex Common Stock of $1.16 per share as of March 17, 2019 and March 31, 2019.

May 31, 2019 Valuation

For the valuation performed on May 31, 2019, the fair value of the Scilex Common Stock was estimated using a hybrid Probability Weighted Expected Return Method (“PWERM”), which estimates the value by probability-weighting different scenarios. Scilex used three going public scenarios and one stay-private scenario. For the three public scenarios, Scilex utilized recent comparable initial public offerings to estimate value, which was allocated on a fully diluted basis to derive a common stock value for each scenario. For the stay-private scenario, Scilex utilized the income and market approaches in line with the March 31, 2019 valuation and allocated the concluded equity value using an OPM to derive a common stock value for the stay-private scenario. Scilex then probability weighted (based on Scilex’s best estimates at the time) each scenario’s common stock value to arrive at the concluded value of the Scilex Common Stock. This valuation resulted in a valuation of Scilex Common Stock of $1.16 per share as of May 31, 2019.

December 31, 2019 Valuation

For the valuation performed on December 31, 2019, the fair value of the Scilex Common Stock was estimated using PWERM, which estimates the value by probability-weighting different scenarios. Scilex used three going public scenarios and one stay-private scenario. For the three public scenarios, Scilex utilized recent comparable initial public offerings to estimate value, which was allocated on a fully diluted basis to derive a common stock value for each scenario. For the stay-private scenario, Scilex utilized the income

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approach in line with the March 31, 2019 valuation and allocated the concluded equity value using an OPM to derive a common stock value for the stay-private scenario. Scilex then probability weighted (based on Scilex’s best estimates at the time) each scenario’s common stock value to arrive at the concluded value of the Scilex Common Stock. This valuation resulted in a valuation of the Scilex Common Stock of $1.16 per share as of December 31, 2019.

July 31, 2020 Valuation

For the valuation performed on July 31, 2020, the fair value of the Scilex Common Stock was estimated using PWERM, which estimates the value by probability-weighting different scenarios. Scilex used three going public scenarios and one stay-private scenario. For the three public scenarios, Scilex utilized recent comparable initial public offerings to estimate value, which was allocated on a fully diluted basis to derive a common stock value for each scenario. For the stay-private scenario, Scilex utilized the income approach in line with the March 31, 2019, May 31, 2019 and December 31, 2019 valuations and allocated the concluded equity value using an OPM to derive a common stock value for the stay-private scenario. Scilex then probability weighted (based on Scilex’s best estimates at the time) each scenario’s common stock value to arrive at the concluded value of the Scilex Common Stock. This valuation resulted in a valuation of the Scilex Common Stock of $1.16 per share as of July 31, 2020.

Once a public trading market for the New Scilex Common Stock has been established in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, it will no longer be necessary for the Vickers Board to estimate the fair value of the New Scilex Common Stock in connection with our accounting for granted stock options and other such awards we may grant, as the fair value of the New Scilex Common Stock will be determined based on the quoted market price of the New Scilex Common Stock.

Debt

We account for debt as liabilities measured at amortized cost and amortize the resulting debt discount from the allocation of proceeds to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected term of the debt instrument. We consider whether there are any embedded features in the debt instruments that require bifurcation and separate accounting as derivative financial instruments pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

We may enter financing arrangements, the terms of which involve significant assumptions and estimates, including future net product sales, in determining interest expense, as well as the classification between current and long-term portions. In estimating future net product sales, we assess prevailing market conditions using various external market data against our anticipated sales and planned commercial activities as well as actual ZTlido sales as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. See Note 8 titled “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Certain Transactions of Scilex — Indenture and Letter of Credit” for a description of the Scilex Pharma Notes, which provide for repayments based on a percentage of net sales of ZTlido. Consequently, we impute interest on the carrying value of the debt and record interest expense using an imputed effective interest rate. We reassess the expected payments each reporting period and account for any changes through an adjustment to the effective interest rate on a prospective basis, with a corresponding impact to the classification of our current and long-term portions.

Leases

Beginning January 1, 2019, at the inception of a contractual agreement and at transition to the new lease standard, we determine whether the contract contains a lease by assessing whether there is an identified asset and whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of the identified asset in exchange for consideration over a period of time. If both criteria are met, we calculate the associated lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset upon lease commencement using a discount rate based on a credit-adjusted secured borrowing rate commensurate with the term of the lease. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

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Income Taxes

The provisions of ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes — Overall, address the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under ASC Topic 740-10, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. We have determined that we have immaterial uncertain tax positions.

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial amounts, using currently enacted tax rates.

We have deferred tax assets, which are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely will not be realized. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we maintained a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, with the exception of an amount equal to our deferred tax liabilities that are scheduled to reverse against Scilex’s deferred tax assets.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are carried at their initial valuation or acquisition price and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. If the useful life is indefinite, we will re-evaluate the asset annually for impairment and make adjustments as necessary. Our patents were initially valued using the multi- period excess earnings method and the useful life of 15 years was determined by management based on the patent expiration date. Our developed technology was valued based on a 15-year projection using the excess earnings approach. We commenced amortization of IPR&D upon commercialization of ZTlido in October 2018. We review our long-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the assets’ book value to future net undiscounted cash flows that the assets are expected to generate to determine if a write-down to the recoverable amount is appropriate. If such assets are written down, an impairment will be recognized as the amount by which the book value of the asset group exceeds the recoverable amount. There have not been any impairment losses of long-lived assets through March 31, 2022.

Goodwill

Goodwill, which has an indefinite useful life, represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events occur indicating the potential for impairment. We have determined that only one reporting unit exists for examination under impairment review. During our goodwill impairment review, we may assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units are less than their carrying amounts, including goodwill. The qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, and the overall financial performance of our company. If, after assessing the totality of these qualitative factors, we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units are less than their carrying amounts, then no additional assessment is deemed necessary. Otherwise, Scilex performs a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Scilex may also elect to bypass the qualitative assessment in a period and elect to proceed to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Scilex performed its annual assessment for goodwill impairment in the fourth quarters of 2021, 2020 and 2019 and determined there was no impairment as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Acquired In-Process Research and Development Expense

We have acquired and may continue to acquire the rights to develop and commercialize new product candidates. The up-front payments to acquire a new drug compound or drug delivery device, as well as future milestone payments associated with asset acquisitions that do not meet the definition of derivative and are deemed probable to achieve the milestones, are immediately expensed as acquired IPR&D provided that the drug has not achieved regulatory approval for marketing and, absent obtaining such approval, have no alternative future use. The acquired IPR&D related to the asset acquisition of IPR&D from Semnur in March 2019.

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Material Cash Commitments

As of March 31, 2022, our contractual obligations are as follows (in thousands):

	Payments Due by Period
	Total			Less than 1 year			1-3 years			3-5 years			More than 5 years
Scilex Pharma Notes(1)		$	112,414		$	6,680		$	25,642		$	80,092		$	—
Operating lease obligations(2)			1,797			507			1,290			—			—
Related Party Notes Payable(3)			105,611			47,108			58,503			—			—
Interest on Related Party Notes Payable(3)			8,171			8,171			—			—			—
Total financial obligations		$	227,993		$	62,466		$	85,435		$	80,092		$	—

(1)

See Note 6 titled “Debt” of the notes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

(2)

See Note 8 titled “Commitments and Contingencies” of the notes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

(3)

See Note 10 titled “Related Party Transactions” of the notes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 titled “Significant Accounting Policies” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risk is confined to our cash and cash equivalents and debt securities. We have cash and cash equivalents and invest primarily in high-quality money market funds, which we believe are subject to limited credit risk. Due to the low risk profile of our investments, an immediate 10% change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio.

As principal repayments on the Scilex Pharma Notes are based on a percentage of net sales of ZTlido and SP-103, if a marketing approval letter from the FDA with respect to SP-103 is received, we have elected to account for changes in estimated cash flows from future net sales prospectively. Specifically, a new effective interest rate will be determined based on revised estimates of remaining cash flows and changes in expected cash flows will be recognized prospectively. As a result, we are not subject to interest rate risk on the Scilex Pharma Notes as repayment of the Scilex Pharma Notes is determined by projected net sales and changes in interest rates will generally affect the fair value of the debt instrument, but not our earnings or cash flows.

Our note payable to Sorrento is interest bearing at the lesser of (1) 10% simple interest per annum, and (2) the maximum interest rate permitted under law. Given that the interest rate is capped, we are not subject to interest rate risk under the note payable to Sorrento.

Concentration Risk

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, sales to our sole customer and third-party logistics distribution provider, Cardinal Health, represented 100% of our net revenue. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we purchased inventory from our sole supplier, Itochu. This exposes us to concentration of customer and supplier risk. We monitor the financial condition of our sole customer, Cardinal Health, limit our credit exposure by setting credit limits, and have not experienced any credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. As we continue to expand the commercialization of our product, we are not limited to the current customer and have elected to expand

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our distribution network. On April 2, 2022, we announced the expansion of our direct distribution network to national and regional wholesalers and pharmacies. Cardinal Health will continue to provide traditional third-party logistics functions for us.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have, during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under applicable SEC rules.

Related Party Transactions

For a description of our related party transactions, see the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Certain Transactions of Scilex.”

Emerging Growth Company

A “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act is eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. New Scilex has irrevocably elected not to avail itself of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. As a result, changes in rules of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or their interpretation, the adoption of new guidance or the application of existing guidance to changes in New Scilex’s business could significantly affect New Scilex’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, as an emerging growth company we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

•

an exemption from compliance with the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

•

an exemption from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotation;

•

reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and

•

exemptions from the requirements of holding non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2022 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 present the combined financial information of Vickers and Scilex after giving effect to the Business Combination and related adjustments described in the accompanying notes. Vickers and Scilex are collectively referred to herein as the “Companies,” and the Companies, subsequent to the Business Combination, are referred to herein as “New Scilex.”

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, Pro Forma Financial Information, as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 give pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on January 1, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2022 gives pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it was completed on March 31, 2022.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on, and should be read in conjunction with:

•

the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information;

•

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined information assumes that Vickers’s public shareholders approve the proposed Business Combination. Vickers’s public shareholders may elect to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash even if they approve the proposed Business Combination. Vickers cannot predict how many of its public shareholders will exercise their right to have their public shares redeemed for cash. As a result, Vickers has elected to provide the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information under three different redemption scenarios as described below.

•

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Vickers public shareholders exercise their redemption rights with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares. Scilex selected a 60% redemption rate based on input from its financial advisors regarding market trends for similar transactions.

•

Assuming Maximum Redemption: This scenario assumes that all 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares held by Vickers public shareholders are redeemed for an aggregate payment of $100,087,555 out of the Trust Account as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, which is derived from the number of Vickers Ordinary Shares that could be redeemed in connection with the Business Combination at an assumed redemption price of approximately $10.29 per share based on the Trust Account balance as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. In the event that Vickers’s public shareholders exercise redemption rights that result in the redemption of 75% or more of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares, the Sponsors agreed to be subject to a 40% forfeiture of Private Placement Warrants held by each Sponsor immediately prior to Closing. This scenario also assumes 40% of the value of the outstanding Private Placement Warrants are forfeited.

The actual results are expected to be within the parameters described by the three scenarios. However, there can be no assurance regarding which scenario will be closest to the actual results. Under each scenario, Scilex’s equityholders (Sorrento) maintains a controlling financial interest over New Scilex.

The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Under the guidance in Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 805, Vickers is expected to be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of Scilex issuing stock for the net assets of Vickers, accompanied by a recapitalization whereby the net assets of Vickers will be stated at historical cost and no goodwill or other intangible assets are recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination will be those of Scilex.

Scilex expects to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances under the illustrative no, interim and maximum redemption scenarios:

•

Scilex stockholders will have the largest voting interest in New Scilex immediately after the Business Combination;

•

Individuals designated by, or representing, Scilex stockholders will constitute a majority of the board of directors of New Scilex immediately after the Business Combination;

•

Scilex management will continue to hold executive management positions in New Scilex and be responsible for the day-to-day operations;

•

the post-combination company is assuming the name “Scilex Holding Company”;

•

New Scilex is maintaining the pre-existing Scilex headquarters; and

•

the operations of Scilex will comprise the ongoing operations of New Scilex.

Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, Vickers Ordinary Shares outstanding as presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements include the following:

	No Redemption Scenario				Interim Redemption Scenario				Maximum Redemption Scenario
	Shares		%		Shares		%		Shares		%
Vickers public shareholders		9,726,395(1)		7.0%		3,890,558(2)		2.9%		—		—%
Vickers Initial Shareholders(3)		3,450,000		2.5%		3,450,000		2.6%		3,450,000		2.7%
Scilex stockholders(4)		125,714,240		90.5%		125,714,240		94.5%		125,714,240		97.3%
Total Shares at the Closing(5)(6)		138,890,635		100%		133,054,798		100%		129,164,240		100%

(1)

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memorandum and articles of association and, as such, the no redemption scenario reflects 9,726,395 shares held by Vickers public shareholders as of the Closing.

(2)

The interim redemption scenario assumes redemptions of 5,835,837 Vickers Ordinary Shares for aggregate redemption payments of approximately $60.1 million using a per share redemption price of $10.29.

(3)

In connection with Vickers's IPO, the Initial Shareholders agreed they would not exercise any redemption rights with respect to the founder shares. In addition, they agreed that they would not to transfer, assign or sell their founder shares until six months after the date of the consummation of an initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, Vickers consummated a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Vickers Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property. In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the parties also agreed to enter into an amended and restated registration rights agreement that also provides for a lock-up of 180 days post-Closing of the Business Combination subject to very limited exceptions.

(4)

In addition, the number of shares held by Scilex stockholders at the Closing is based on the Merger Consideration calculated as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.

(5)

(6)

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
As of March 31, 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	As of March 31, 2022
	(Note 2)						No Redemption Scenario							Interim Redemption Scenario							Maximum Redemption Scenario
	Vickers Vantage Corp. I (Adjusted)			Scilex Holding Company (Historical)			Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined			Additional Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined			Additional Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	127		$	33,567		$	100,088	3(B)		$	126,566		$	(60,053)	3(I)		$	66,513		$	(40,035)	3(K)		$	29,073
									(5,190)	3(C)													2,595	3(N)
									(2,026)	3(H)
Accounts receivable, net			—			15,412			—				15,412			—				15,412			—				15,412
Inventory			—			1,940			—				1,940			—				1,940			—				1,940
Prepaid expenses and other			397			5,159			(2,105)	3(E)			3,451			—				3,451			—				3,451
Total current assets			524			56,078			90,767				147,369			(60,053)				87,316			(37,440)				49,876
Non-current assets
Property and equipment, net			—			796			—				796			—				796			—				796
Operating lease right-of-use asset			—			1,204			—				1,204			—				1,204			—				1,204
Intangibles, net			—			37,868			—				37,868			—				37,868			—				37,868
Goodwill			—			13,481			—				13,481			—				13,481			—				13,481
Long-term deposit			—			538			—				538			—				538			—				538
Cash and securities held in Trust Account			140,448			—			(40,360)	3(A)			—			—				—			—				—
									(100,088)	3(B)
Total assets		$	140,972		$	109,965		$	(49,681)			$	201,256		$	(60,053)			$	141,203		$	(37,440)			$	103,763
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	36		$	4,817		$	—			$	4,853		$	—			$	4,853		$	—			$	4,853
Accrued payroll			—			4,138			—				4,138			—				4,138			—				4,138
Accrued expenses			5			13,058			3,740	3(E)			16,803			—				16,803			—				16,803
Current portion of debt			—			9,438			—				9,438			—				9,438			2,595	3(N)			12,033
Related party payable			—			97,939			(97,939)	3(G)			—			—				—			—				—
Related party note payable			—			47,108			(47,108)	3(G)			—			—				—			—				—
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			—			520			—				520			—				520			—				520
Total current liabilities			41			177,018			(141,307)				35,752			—				35,752			2,595				38,347
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt, net of discount			—			76,802			97,939	3(G)			174,741			—				174,741			—				174,741
Related party note payable			2,026			58,503			47,108	3(G)			105,611			—				105,611			—				105,611
									(2,026)	3(H)
Derivative liabilities			3,839			28,200			—				32,039			—				32,039			(1,505)	3(L)			30,534
Operating lease liabilities			—			1,010			—				1,010			—				1,010			—				1,010
Deferred underwriting fee payable			5,190			—			(5,190)	3(C)			—			—				—			—				—
Total liabilities			11,096			341,533			(3,476)				349,153			—				349,153			1,090				350,243
Commitments and contingencies
Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption 13,800,000 as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 at redemption value of approximately $10.18 and $10.10, respectively			140,415			—			(140,415)	3(A)			—			—				—			—				—
Stockholders’ deficit
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding			—			—			—				—			—				—			—				—
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 3,450,000 non-redeemable shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021			—			—			—				—			—				—			—				—
New Scilex Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized			—			—			—				—			—				—			—				—
New Scilex Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 740,000,000 shares authorized			—			—			1	3(A)			14			(1)	3(I)			13			—	3(K)			13
									13	3(D)
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at March 31,2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively			—			—			—				—			—				—			—				—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 350,000,000 shares authorized; 197,566,338 and 197,266,338 shares issued and outstanding at March 31,2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively			—			20			(20)	3(D)			—			—				—			—				—
Additional paid-in capital			—			130,105			100,054	3(A)			213,782			(60,052)	3(I)			153,866			(40,035)	3(K)			121,671
									7	3(D)						136	3(J)						1,505	3(L)
									(6,471)	3(E)													6,335	3(M)
									(9,913)	3(F)
Accumulated deficit			(10,539)			(361,693)			626	3(E)			(361,693)			(136)	3(J)			(361,829)			(6,335)	3(M)			(368,164)
									9,913	3(F)
Total stockholders’ deficit		$	(10,539)		$	(231,568)		$	94,210			$	(147,897)		$	(60,053)			$	(207,950)		$	(38,530)			$	(246,480)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit		$	140,972		$	109,965		$	(49,681)			$	201,256		$	(60,053)			$	141,203		$	(37,440)			$	103,763

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
	(Note 2)						No Redemption Scenario							Interim Redemption Scenario						Maximum Redemption Scenario
	Vickers Vantage Corp. I (Adjusted)			Scilex Holding Company (Historical)			Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined			Additional Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma Combined			Additional Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma Combined
Net revenue		$	—		$	6,812		$	—			$	6,812		$	—		$	6,812		$	—		$	6,812
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue			—			1,144			—				1,144			—			1,144			—			1,144
Research and development			—			2,631			—				2,631			—			2,631			—			2,631
Selling, general and administrative			—			10,908			—				10,908			—			10,908			—			10,908
Intangible amortization			—			935			—				935			—			935			—			935
Operating and formation costs			320			—			(320)	4(BB)			0			—			0			—			0
Total operating costs and expenses			320			15,618			(320)				15,618			—			15,618			—			15,618
Loss from operations			(320)			(8,806)			320				(8,806)			—			(8,806)			—			(8,806)
Other expense (income):
Loss (gain) on derivative liabilities			481			(7,500)			—				(7,019)			—			(7,019)			—			(7,019)
Loss on debt extinguishment, net			—			4,799			—				4,799			—			4,799			—			4,799
Scilex Pharma Notes principal increase			—			—			—				—			—			—			—			—
Interest expense			7			3,031			—				3,038			—			3,038			—			3,038
Loss on foreign currency exchange			—			4			—				4			—			4			—			4
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account			(2)			—			2	4(AA)			—			—			—			—			—
Total other expense			486			334			2				822			—			822			—			822
Loss before income taxes			(806)			(9,140)			318				(9,628)			—			(9,628)			—			(9,628)
Income tax expense			—			3			—				3			—			3			—			3
Net loss		$	(806)		$	(9,143)		$	318			$	(9,631)		$	—		$	(9,631)		$	—		$	(9,631)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Vickers ordinary shares, basic			17,250,000
Basic net loss per share of Vickers ordinary shares		$	(0.05)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Vickers ordinary shares, diluted			17,250,000
Diluted net loss per share of Vickers ordinary shares		$	(0.05)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Scilex common stock, basic and diluted						197,515,776
Basic and diluted net loss per share of Scilex common stock					$	(0.05)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Vickers common stockholders, basic and diluted													138,890,635						133,054,798						129,164,240
Basic and diluted net loss per share of Vickers common stock												$	(0.07)					$	(0.07)					$	(0.07)

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
	(Note 2)						No Redemption Scenario							Interim Redemption Scenario							Maximum Redemption Scenario
	Vickers Vantage Corp. I (Adjusted)			Scilex Holding Company (Historical)			Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined			Additional Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined			Additional Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined
Net revenue		$	—		$	31,317		$	—			$	31,317		$	—			$	31,317		$	—			$	31,317
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue			—			3,634			—				3,634			—				3,634			—				3,634
Research and development			—			9,201			—				9,201			—				9,201			—				9,201
Selling, general and administrative			—			50,582			(206)	4(BB)			50,376			136	4(CC)			50,512			6,235	4(EE)			56,747
Intangible amortization			—			3,738			—				3,738			—				3,738			—				3,738
Operating and formation costs			1,005			—			(100)	4(BB)			905			—				905			100	4(EE)			1,005
Total operating costs and expenses			1,005			67,155			(306)				67,854			136				67,990			6,335				74,325
Loss from operations			(1,005)			(35,838)			306				(36,537)			(136)				(36,673)			(6,335)				(43,008)
Other (income) expense:
(Gain) loss on derivative liabilities			(1,791)			300			—				(1,491)			—				(1,491)			(1,505)	4(DD)			(2,996)
Loss on debt extinguishment, net			—			12,463			—				12,463			—				12,463			—				12,463
Scilex Pharma Notes principal increase			—			28,000			—				28,000			—				28,000			—				28,000
Interest expense			32			11,764			—				11,796			—				11,796			—				11,796
Loss on foreign currency exchange			—			54			—				54			—				54			—				54
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account			(31)			—			31	4(AA)			—			—				—			—				—
Total other (income) expense			(1,790)			52,581			31				50,822			—				50,822			(1,505)				49,317
Gain (loss) before income taxes			785			(88,419)			275				(87,359)			(136)				(87,495)			(4,830)				(92,325)
Income tax expense			—			5			—				5			—				5			—				5
Net income (loss)		$	785		$	(88,424)		$	275			$	(87,364)		$	(136)			$	(87,500)		$	(4,830)			$	(92,330)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net income per share attributable to Vickers ordinary shares, basic			16,820,548
Basic net income per share of Vickers ordinary shares		$	0.05
Weighted-average shares used to compute net income per share attributable to Vickers ordinary shares, diluted			16,834,110
Diluted net income per share of Vickers ordinary shares		$	0.05
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Scilex common stock, basic and diluted						197,266,338
Basic and diluted net loss per share of Scilex common stock					$	(0.45)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Vickers common stockholders, basic and diluted													138,890,635							133,054,798							129,164,240
Basic and diluted net loss per share of Vickers common stock												$	(0.63)						$	(0.66)						$	(0.71)

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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Note 1 — Description of the Business Combination

Vickers Vantage Corp. I (“Vickers”) is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 21, 2020. Vickers was incorporated 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 (the “Business Combination”).

As of March 31, 2022, Vickers had not yet commenced operations. All activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the period from February 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2021 relates to Vickers’s formation, the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, and the search for and due diligence on a potential target for a Business Combination.

The Business Combination

On March 17, 2022, Vickers entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Vantage Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Vickers (“Merger Sub”), and Scilex Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“Scilex”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, under the terms of which, Merger Sub will merge with and into Scilex and with Scilex becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Vickers. After giving effect to the Business Combination, Vickers will own all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Scilex and its subsidiaries. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, Vickers will be renamed as “Scilex Holding Company” (“New Scilex”).

At the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”), each outstanding share of Scilex Common Stock as of immediately prior to the time in which the Merger becomes effective as stated in the Merger Agreement (“Effective Time”) of the Business Combination will be exchanged for shares of New Scilex Common Stock. Each Scilex stock option outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into a stock option to acquire a share of New Scilex Common Stock upon substantially the same terms and conditions with respect to existing vesting and termination-related provisions. The exercise price per share for each Scilex Common Stock is equal to (i) the existing exercise price per Scilex stock option, divided by (ii) the Exchange Ratio (defined below) (rounded up to the nearest whole cent).

The number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock issuable to Scilex stockholders and optionholders is equal to the sum of (i) $1,500,000,000, minus (ii) the Specified Indebtedness Amount (defined below), divided by $10 (“Merger Consideration”). The “Specified Indebtedness Amount” is the aggregate amount owed by Scilex in respect of senior secured notes due 2026 issued under Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Scilex Pharma”) and with Sorrento as the parent guarantor. Pursuant to the Indenture, the Purchasers will have the option to redeem the Scilex Pharma Notes upon a “Change of Control” event, as defined in the Indenture. The Business Combination is not expected to constitute a Change of Control as Sorrento will continue to hold a majority of the total voting power of the Company. Further, on June 2, 2022, Sorrento and Scilex Pharma, entered into a Consent Under and Amendment No. 4 to Indenture (“Amendment No. 4”) with the Trustee, Agent, and the Purchasers, which amended the Indenture. Pursuant to Amendment No. 4, on June 3, 2022, Scilex Pharma repurchased approximately $41.4 million of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Scilex Pharma Notes. Scilex Pharma also can repurchase the remaining principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes at any time on or before September 30, 2022 for $41.4 million (subject to reduction for any quarterly royalty payments) and upon such repurchase the Purchasers will forgive and discharge $28.0 million of the aggregate principal amount of the Scilex Pharma Notes. The estimated Merger Consideration to be transferred to Scilex common stockholders and optionholders at Closing is 143,055,632 shares of New Scilex Common Stock, which is based on the Specified Indebtedness Amount of approximately $69.4 million. The Specified Indebtedness Amount is based on the most recent outstanding principal balance of the Scilex Pharma Notes as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus in order to be more reflective of what we expect the Merger Consideration to be calculated as upon the closing of the Business Combination.

Shares of Scilex common stock and Scilex stock options are converted to shares of New Scilex Common Stock based on the “Exchange Ratio,” which is equal to (a) the number of shares constituting the

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Merger Consideration, divided by (b) the sum of (i) issued and outstanding Scilex common stock and (ii) issued and outstanding Scilex stock options as of immediately prior to the Effective Time. As there were 197,566,338 and 27,287,988 shares of Scilex common stock and Scilex stock options, respectively, we currently estimate the Exchange Ratio will be equal to 0.64. The number of shares of Scilex Common Stock and stock options outstanding was based on information available as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus in order to be more reflective of what we expect the Exchange Ratio to be upon the closing of the Business Combination. Upon the Effective Time, 125,714,240 shares of New Scilex Common Stock is estimated to be transferred to Scilex stockholders (Sorrento), which will be outstanding under all the redemption scenarios. The remaining portion of the Merger Consideration, equal to 17,341,392 shares of New Scilex Common Stock, will be reserved for the Scilex optionholders.

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Scilex intends to repurchase the remaining outstanding principal balance of the Scilex Pharma Notes of $41.4 million, pursuant to the terms of Amendment No. 4, prior to the Closing of the Business Combination. This repurchase would reduce the Specified Indebtedness Amount to $0, which would result in Merger Consideration of 150,000,000 shares of New Scilex Common Stock. In such event, 131,816,802 shares of New Scilex Common Stock would be issued to Scilex stockholders and the remaining 18,183,198 shares of New Scilex Common Stock would be reserved for the Scilex option holders. Accordingly, the Scilex stockholders would own 90.9% of the shares of New Scilex Common Stock under the no redemption scenario, 94.7% of the shares of New Scilex Common Stock under the interim redemption scenario, and 97.4% of the shares of New Scilex Common Stock under the maximum redemption scenario. Disclosures of the percentages elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus do not reflect the intention described in this paragraph unless otherwise indicated.

Each of the then-outstanding Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants has an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “Exercise Price”) to acquire one share of Vickers Ordinary Shares. The exercise price of the warrants is subject to a down-round provision that is only effective prior to the Closing of the Business Combination and is therefore not, on its own, considered to have an impact to the classification of warrant on Scilex’s Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet. The warrants are exercisable at any time commencing on the date that is the later of 30 days after the Closing. Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Vickers also entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement. In the event that Vickers’s public shareholders exercise redemption rights that results in the redemption of 75% or more of the issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares, the Sponsors agreed to be subject to a 40% forfeiture of Private Placement Warrants held by each Sponsor immediately prior to Closing.

Note 2 — Accounting Policies

As part of preparing these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements, certain reclassifications were made to align Vickers and Scilex’s financial statement presentation. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, we will perform a comprehensive review of the two entities’ accounting policies. As a result of the review, we may identify differences between the accounting policies of the two entities which, when conformed, could have a material impact on the financial statements of the post-combination company. Based on its initial analysis, we did not identify any differences that would have a material impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. As a result, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not assume any differences in accounting policies.

	As of March 31, 2022
	Vickers Vantage Corp. I (Historical)			Reclassification Adjustments		Vickers Vantage Corp. I (Adjusted)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	127				$	127
Accounts receivable, net			—					—
Inventory			—					—
Prepaid expenses and other			—		397			397
Prepaid expenses			397		(397)			—
Total current assets			524		—			524

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	As of March 31, 2022
	Vickers Vantage Corp. I (Historical)			Reclassification Adjustments			Vickers Vantage Corp. I (Adjusted)
Non-current assets
Property and equipment, net			—						—
Operating lease right-of-use asset			—						—
Intangibles, net			—						—
Goodwill			—						—
Long-term deposit			—						—
Cash and securities held in Trust Account			140,448						140,448
Total assets		$	140,972		$	—		$	140,972
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	—		$	36		$	36
Accrued payroll			—						—
Accrued expenses			—			5			5
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			41			(41)
Current portion of debt			—						—
Related party payable			—						—
Related party notes payable			—						—
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			—						—
Total current liabilities			41			—			41
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt, net of discount			—						—
Related party notes payable			—			2,026			2,026
Derivative liabilities			—			3,839			3,839
Operating lease liabilities			—						—
Convertible note – related party, net of debt discount			2,026			(2,026)			—
Conversion option liability			77			(77)			—
Warrant liability			3,762			(3,762)			—
Deferred underwriting fee payable			5,190						5,190
Total liabilities		$	11,096		$	—		$	11,096
Commitments and contingencies
Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption 13,800,000 as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 at redemption value of approximately $10.18 and $10.10, respectively		$	140,415					$	140,415
Stockholders’ deficit
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding		$	—					$	—
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 3,450,000 non-redeemable shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021			—						—
New Scilex Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized			—						—
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively			—						—

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Note 3 — Transaction Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2022

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings, or cost savings that may be associated with the Business Combination. No tax adjustment has been computed for the pro forma Vickers financial results, as it expects to maintain a full valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets. The unaudited pro forma information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the post-Business Combination company. The pro forma Transaction adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2022 are as follows:

(A)

Reflects reclassification of Vickers Ordinary Shares subject to redemption to permanent equity upon consummation of the Business Combination, assuming no redemption. In connection with the Extension Proposal on June 30, 2022, Vickers public shareholders holding 4,073,605 Vickers Ordinary Shares elected to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares at a per share redemption price of $10.25. As such, this adjustment also reflects the redemption of 4,073,605 Vickers Ordinary Shares out of the Trust Account for approximately $41.8 million. This adjustment also reflects an increase of approximately $1.5 million to the Trust Account in order to reflect the balance in the Trust Account as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, which is approximately $100.1 million.

(B)

Reflects release of the restricted investments and cash held in the Trust Account upon consummation of the Business Combination, assuming no redemption.

(C)

Reflects the settlement of $5.2 million of Vickers deferred underwriting fees incurred for its IPO that is payable upon consummation of the Business Combination.

(D)

Reflects the conversion of Scilex Common Stock into New Scilex Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

(E)

Represents preliminary estimated transaction costs incurred by Vickers and Scilex that are allocated between the instruments issued and assumed in the Business Combination and recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital or expense.

(F)

Reflects the elimination of Vickers’s historical accumulated deficit.

(G)

Reflects reclassification of Scilex current related party payable and related party notes payable to non-current liabilities. Pursuant to a letter dated March 17, 2022 between Sorrento and Scilex, Sorrento agreed to waive all of its rights to payment of any principal, interest, or related fees of debt obligations owed to Sorrento by Scilex, including rights to accelerate payment, until the earlier of (i) the date on which New Scilex reports two consecutive quarters of positive EBITDA; (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets or at least 50% of the voting securities of New Scilex; and (iii) the five year anniversary of the closing of the Business Combination.

(H)

Reflects the cash settlement of the Working Capital Loans upon consummation of the Business Combination. At the option of the lender, $1.5 million of the Working Capital Loans may be converted into Working Capital Warrants. All Working Capital Loans in excess of $1.5 million converted into Working Capital Warrants will be settled in cash. The adjustment assumes all Working Capital Loans of approximately $2.0 million will be settled in cash.

(I)

Represents the interim number of shares that may be redeemed in an amount of approximately $60.1 million comprised of 5,835,837 Vickers Ordinary Shares at a redemption price of approximately $10.29 per share allocated between Vickers Ordinary Shares at par value $0.0001 per share with the remainder recorded in additional paid-in capital.

(J)

Reflects the incremental amount of transaction costs allocated to the Private Placement Warrants and recorded as an expense.

(K)

Represents the maximum number of shares that may be redeemed in an amount of approximately $100.1 million comprised of 9,726,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares at a redemption price of

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approximately $10.29 per share allocated between Vickers Ordinary Shares at par value $0.0001 per share with the remainder recorded in additional paid-in capital. The adjustment is shown as an incremental amount of approximately $40.0 million to the interim number of shares that may be redeemed in (I).

(L)

Reflects the forfeiture of 40% of the value of the outstanding Private Placement Warrants in the maximum redemption scenario. Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, 40% of the Private Placement Warrants are forfeited if 75% or more of the Vickers’s public shareholders exercise their right to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares. A reduction of $1.5 million was reflected against derivative liabilities with an offset to additional paid-in capital.

(M)

Reflects an incremental adjustment against additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit related to remaining transaction costs capitalized as there are no offering proceeds to offset the direct and incremental costs in the maximum redemption scenario and, therefore, such costs are expensed.

(N)

Reflects the issuance of a promissory note for 50% of deferred underwriting fees payable to Maxim in a maximum redemption scenario. Pursuant to an amendment of the UWA Amendment, 50% of the deferred underwriting fees will be payable to Maxim in the form of an interest-free promissory note to repaid on or before the one-year anniversary of the effective date of a Business Combination in the event that the balance in the Trust Account is $25.0 million or less after redemptions of Vickers Ordinary Shares by public shareholders in connection with the Business Combination. A reduction of $2.6 million was reflected in cash and cash equivalents with an increase to current portion of debt.

Note 4 — Transaction Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021.

(AA)

Reflects the elimination of interest earned on investment held in the Trust Account.

(BB)

Represents an adjustment to reflect previously expensed transaction costs as a reduction to additional paid-in capital (see Note (E)) as part of the Business Combination.

(CC)

Reflects an incremental amount of transaction costs expensed that are allocated to the Private Placement Warrants.

(DD)

Reflects the 40% of Private Placement Warrants forfeited under the maximum redemption scenario, which resulted in a gain from derivative liabilities.

(EE)

Represents an adjustment to reflect preliminary estimated transaction costs as an expense in the maximum redemption scenario as there are no offering proceeds to offset the direct and incremental costs.

Note 5 — Net Income (Loss) per Share

Net income (loss) per share is calculated based on the weighted average of New Scilex Common Stock outstanding and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2021. As the Business Combination is being reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share assumes that the shares issuable relating to the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire periods presented. If the maximum or an interim number of shares of New Scilex Common Stock are redeemed, this calculation is retroactively adjusted to eliminate such shares for the entire periods.

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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF VICKERS

Current Directors and Executive Officers

Vickers’s directors and executive officers are as follows as of the Record Date:

Name	Age	Position
Jeffrey Chi	53	Chairman of the Vickers Board and Chief Executive Officer
Chris Ho	34	Chief Financial Officer
Pei Wei Woo	45	Director
Suneel Kaji	52	Director
Steve Myint	63	Director

Dr. Jeffrey Chi has served as our Chairman of the Vickers Board and Chief Executive Officer since our inception. Dr. Chi co-founded Vickers Ventures Partners (“VVP”) in 2005 and is a member of its Investment Committee. From 2013 to April 2017, Dr. Chi also served as the Chairman of the Singapore Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. From 2001 to 2005, Dr. Chi initially served as a Senior Consultant with the Monitor Group and later served as Executive Director with Pegasus Capital. Dr. Chi managed engagements for a wide range of clients in both the public and private sectors. Dr. Chi’s operational background includes working on the management team of an engineering and construction group where he oversaw operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia from 1992 to 1998. As a result of a personal legal dispute, the Singapore courts issued a Bankruptcy Order against Dr. Chi in November 2021. The legal dispute is in the process of being settled and it is expected that the Order will be annulled soon thereafter. Dr. Chi graduated from the University of Cambridge with First Class Honors in Engineering and has a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also a CFA charterholder, and is fluent in English and Mandarin. We believe Dr. Chi is well-qualified to serve on the Vickers Board due to his experience, relationships and contacts.

Chris Ho has served as our Chief Financial Officer and member of the Vickers Board since our inception. Mr. Ho joined VVP in 2016 as a Venture Principal, sourcing and evaluating international new investments and acquisitions, with a particular focus on technology investments. Prior to joining VVP, Mr. Ho worked at ZS Associates, a sales and marketing consulting firm, from January 2014 to April 2017 where he specialized in sales transformation projects. His work ranged from portfolio and business strategy and customer segmentation to incentive compensation plan design and effectiveness diagnostics, across a broad spectrum of industries including high-tech, travel and transportation, and agri-chemicals. Mr. Ho received a B.S. in Political Science and an MS in Electrical Engineering, both from Columbia University. He is fluent in English and Mandarin. We believe Mr. Ho is well-qualified to serve on the Vickers Board due to his experience, relationships and contacts.

Pei Wei Woo has served as a member of the Vickers Board since October 2020. In 2021, Ms. Woo became the CEO & CIO of a single family office headquartered in Singapore, covering multi-asset investing across global markets. From 2019 to 2021, Ms. Woo had served as Managing Director of FOSUN, one of the largest conglomerates in China with global businesses in healthcare and consumer products, financial services, tourism, entertainment and real estate. In 2018, Ms. Woo served as Head of all international capital allocation, asset management and investment products at Lu International Pte. Ltd., the global financial technology headquarters for Lufax Holdings, China’s largest online wealth management platform. From 2014 to 2017, she served as Senior Director of CDPQ Asias Pacific PTE Ltd., one of Canada’s largest pension plans. From 2013 to 2014, she served as Vice President of JPMorgan Asset Management. From 2007 to 2012, Ms. Woo was a Director at Cenenium Capital Partners, a single family office in New York. From 1999 to 2017, she was a Director at the Economic Development Board in Singapore. Ms. Woo received a B.Sc. in Economics from London School of Economics and an M.A. in Economics from Yale University. We believe Ms. Woo is well-qualified to serve on the Vickers Board due to her experience, relationships and contacts.

Suneel Kaji has served as a member of the Vickers Board since October 2020. Since May 2019, Mr. Kaji has served as a Managing Director of Everstone Capital, which manages in excess of US$6.5 billion, and its Everstone Capital US and Everstone Capital Asia Pte group of funds, for which he co-leads control equity and special situations investing in consumer and business services and cross-border investments between

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the U.S. and Asia. Mr. Kaji was formerly a member of the board of directors of Twelve Seas Investment Company, a blank check company, from June 2018 until it entered into an initial business combination with Brooge Holdings in December 2019. Previously, from October 2016 through the spring of 2019, Mr. Kaji had served as an employee director of the University of Texas and Texas A&M System Management Company (UTIMCO), advising on co- and direct principal investments globally as well as emerging markets’ fund selection. Prior to joining UTIMCO, Mr. Kaji served as a Managing Director of Accordion Partners LLC, a private equity consultancy with three offices globally. He established and led the firm’s investment affiliate (established in 2014) that co-invests with the firm’s consultancy clientele. From 2008 to June 2014, Mr. Kaji was a Managing Director and Senior Investment Manager-Private Investments at TRG Management (an affiliate of the Rohatyn Group). He managed non-real estate private investment activity across Asia, including cross-border investments with the U.S. and Australia. He was responsible for origination, evaluation, and structuring of private equity and distressed credits across diverse industries such as natural resource services, chemicals, logistics, and consumer services. Mr. Kaji also sat on the boards of two joint venture real estate and infrastructure funds in Asia. From 2003 to 2008, Mr. Kaji was a Managing Director at the GEM-Kinderhook Funds in New York, focused on mid-cap control investments, structured minority equity and hybrid credit transactions in the U.S., as well as opportunistic pursuits in China, the Middle East, North Africa, and India. From 1999 to 2003, Mr. Kaji was a Principal at Crown Capital Group, a mid-cap private equity group established by DLJ Merchant Banking, Apollo Management and former employees thereof. Previously, he was a Vice President at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (1996 to 1999), based in New York and Hong Kong. Mr. Kaji started his career in finance with Salomon Brothers (1991 to 1994) and entered the principal investment business at Goldman Sachs (1995). He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors of Science in Economics, magna cum laude, and Stanford University with an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. We believe Mr. Kaji is well-qualified to serve on the Vickers Board due to his experience, relationships and contacts.

Dr. Steve Myint has served as a member of the Vickers Board since October 2020. Dr. Myint has served as a Senior Fellow to A*Star, a Singapore research agency for economic oriented research in scientific discovery and innovative technology, since 2010, and a consultant to its commercialization arm, Accelerate. He has also served as an adjunct Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School since 2015. From 2007 to 2009, he was on the board as Chief Medical Officer at BTG International, one of the United Kingdom’s largest life science companies which was sold to Boston Scientific in 2018. Prior to that, he was R&D Board level Global Medical Director of SmithKline Beecham (which subsequently became part of GlaxoSmithKline) where he was responsible for leading its global development programs. Both of these companies were FTSE100/Fortune 500 companies. He was also an executive Dean of Medicine and Health at the University of Surrey. He was also the co-founder of Innovatum partners, Finland’s first specialist investor in life sciences and advisor in life sciences to Finland’s sovereign wealth fund. He is also founder of 42 and ambassador to Institute of Ethics and Values in Slovenia, both of which promote ethical values in companies and society. He is also chairman of the boards of SGVector and INeX, Singaporean life science companies. Dr. Myint received a MD from London University and a PhD from Wurzburg University. We believe Dr. Myint is well-qualified to serve on the Vickers Board due to his experience, relationships and contacts.

Director Independence

Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

Our independent directors have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present. Any affiliated transactions will be on terms no less favorable to us than could be obtained from independent parties. Any affiliated transactions must be approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested directors.

The Vickers Board has determined that Pei Wei Woo, Suneel Kaji and Steve Myint are “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.

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Any affiliated transactions will be on terms no less favorable to us than could be obtained from independent parties. The Vickers Board will review and approve all affiliated transactions with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

Audit Committee

Effective January 6, 2021, we established an audit committee of the Vickers Board, in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, which consists of Pei Wei Woo, Suneel Kaji and Steve Myint, each of whom is an independent director under Nasdaq’s listing standards. The audit committee’s duties, which are specified in our Audit Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:

•

reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the Vickers Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in our Form 10-K;

•

discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;

•

discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;

•

monitoring the independence of the independent auditor;

•

verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law;

•

reviewing and approving all related-party transactions;

•

inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

•

pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;

•

appointing or replacing the independent auditor;

•

determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work;

•

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies; and

•

approving reimbursement of expenses incurred by our management team in identifying potential target businesses.

Financial Experts on Audit Committee

The audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of “independent directors” who are “financially literate” as defined under Nasdaq’s listing standards. In addition, we must certify to Nasdaq that the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual’s financial sophistication. Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and the Vickers Board has determined that Mr. Kaji qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.

Nominating Committee

Effective January 6, 2021, we established a nominating committee of the Vickers Board, which consists of Pei Wei Woo, Suneel Kaji and Steve Myint, each of whom is an independent director under Nasdaq’s listing standards. The nominating committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on the Vickers Board. The nominating committee considers persons identified by its members, management, shareholders, investment bankers and others.

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Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees

The guidelines for selecting nominees, which are specified in the Nominating Committee Charter, generally provide that persons to be nominated:

•

should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;

•

should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the Vickers Board and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and

•

should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the shareholders.

The Nominating Committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background, and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the Vickers Board. The nominating committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The nominating committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Vickers Board.

Compensation Committee

Effective January 6, 2021, we established a compensation committee of the Vickers Board, which consists of Pei Wei Woo, Suneel Kaji and Steve Myint, each of whom is an independent director under Nasdaq’s listing standards. The compensation committee’s duties, which are specified in our Compensation Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:

•

reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;

•

reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other executive officers;

•

reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;

•

implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;

•

assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;

•

approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and employees;

•

if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and

•

reviewing, evaluating, and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.

Code of Ethics

Effective January 6, 2021 we adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our executive officers, directors, and employees. The code of ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.

Employment Agreements

Vickers has not entered into any employment agreements with its executive officers, and has not made any agreements to provide benefits upon termination of employment.

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Executive Officers and Director Compensation

None of our officers has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Our Sponsors have agreed to provide, at no charge, office space and certain office and secretarial services. No other compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to the Sponsors, officers and directors, or any affiliate of the Sponsors or officers, prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of the Business Combination. However, these individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the Trust Account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements made to the Sponsors, officers, directors or their respective affiliates, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

After the Business Combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with New Scilex may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials furnished to the public shareholders. The amount of such compensation may not be known at the time of the Meeting to consider the Business Combination, as it will be up to the directors of the post-Business Combination company to determine executive and director compensation. In this event, such compensation will be publicly disclosed at the time of its determination in a Current Report on Form 8-K, as required by the SEC.

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SCILEX’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Overview

The following is a discussion and analysis of the material components of the compensation arrangements of Scilex’s three named executive officers in 2021, each of whom is expected to be an executive officer of New Scilex. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that are based on New Scilex’s current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. The actual compensation programs that New Scilex adopts following the Closing of the Business Combination may differ materially from the currently planned programs that are summarized in this discussion. As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, Scilex is not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and has elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this subsection to “Scilex” refer to Scilex prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and to New Scilex and its subsidiaries after the Business Combination. All share numbers in this subsection are shown on a pre-business combination basis.

To achieve Scilex’s goals, Scilex has designed, and intends to modify as necessary, its compensation and benefits programs to attract, retain, incentivize and reward deeply talented and qualified executives who share its philosophy and desire to work towards achieving Scilex’s goals. Scilex believes its compensation programs should promote the success of the company and align executive incentives with the long-term interests of its stockholders. This section provides an overview of the material components of Scilex’s executive compensation programs, including a narrative description of the material factors necessary to understand the information disclosed in the summary compensation table below. As Scilex transitions from a private company to a publicly traded company, Scilex will evaluate its compensation program and philosophy and compensation plans and arrangements as circumstances merit. See “New Scilex Executive Officer Compensation Following the Business Combination” below.

The Scilex Board or the Compensation Committee of the Scilex Board, with input from its Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has historically determined the compensation for Scilex’s named executive officers. Scilex’s named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2021, each of whom is expected to be an executive officer of New Scilex on the basis of his current role, were Jaisim Shah, Scilex’s Chief Executive Officer and President; Dmitri Lissin, M.D., Scilex’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; and Suresh Khemani, Scliex’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation paid or accrued to Scilex’s named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021:

Name and principal position	Year		Salary ($)			Bonus ($)(1)			Option awards ($)		All Other Compensation ($)		Total ($)
Jaisim Shah Chief Executive Officer, President and Director		2021		$	579,280		$	290,509		—		—		$	869,789
Dmitri Lissin, M.D Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer		2021		$	421,375		$	107,451		—		—		$	528,826
Suresh Khemani Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer		2021		$	364,000		$	92,820		—		—		$	456,820

(1)

Represents discretionary bonus amounts awarded to Scilex’s named executive officers by the Scilex Board.

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Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

Arrangements with Current Executive Officers

Scilex has entered into offer letters with each of its named executive officers. The material terms of the offer letters are described below.

Shah Offer Letter and Compensation

Scilex entered into an offer letter with Mr. Shah (the “Shah Offer Letter”) dated April 19, 2019, pursuant to which Mr. Shah serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Scilex Pharma. Under the Shah Offer Letter, Mr. Shah’s annual base salary was initially set at $407,925, which was most recently increased to $579,280 in 2020. Mr. Shah’s employment with Scilex is at-will, and either Scilex or Mr. Shah may terminate the terms and conditions of the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

On June 6, 2019, Scilex issued to Mr. Shah an option to purchase 12,066,608 shares of its common stock, with an exercise price equal to $1.16 per share, whereby 25% of the shares vested on March 18, 2020, and 1/48th of the total amount of the shares vested and shall vest each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Shah providing continuous service (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) on each such vesting date, inclusive. On December 21, 2020, Scilex issued to Mr. Shah an additional option to purchase 2,415,000 shares of Scilex Common Stock, with an exercise price equal to $1.16 per share, whereby 25% of the shares vested on December 21, 2021, and 1/48th of the total amount of the shares vested and shall vest each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Shah providing continuous service (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) on each such vesting date, inclusive. Each of the foregoing options also vest in full if there is a Change in Control (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) and Mr. Shah’s continuous service terminates due to an involuntary termination of employment without “cause” or due to a voluntary termination of employment with “good reason” (each, as defined in the applicable option agreement) within 13 months after the effective time of such Change in Control.

Lissin Offer Letter

Scilex entered into an offer letter with Dr. Lissin (the “Lissin Offer Letter”) dated April 19, 2019, pursuant to which Dr. Lissin serves as Scilex’s Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs. Under the Lissin Offer Letter, Dr. Lissin’s initial annual base salary was $405,169, which was most recently increased to $421,375 in 2020. Dr. Lissin’s employment with Scilex is at-will, and either Scilex or Dr. Lissin may terminate the terms and conditions of the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

On June 13, 2019, Scilex issued to Dr. Lissin an option to purchase 400,000 shares of its common stock, with an exercise price equal to $1.16 per share, whereby 25% of the shares vested on March 18, 2020, and 1/48th of the total amount of the shares vested and shall vest each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Lissin providing continuous service (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) on each such vesting date, inclusive. On December 21, 2020, Scilex issued to Dr. Lissin an additional option to purchase 276,000 shares of Scilex Common Stock, with an exercise price equal to $1.16 per share, whereby 25% of the shares vested on December 21, 2021, and 1/48th of the total amount of the shares vested and shall vest each month thereafter, subject to Dr. Lissin providing continuous service (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) on each such vesting date, inclusive. Each of the foregoing options also vest in full if there is a Change in Control (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) and Dr. Lissin’s continuous service terminates due to an involuntary termination of employment without “cause” or due to a voluntary termination of employment with “good reason” (each, as defined in the applicable option agreement) within 13 months after the effective time of such Change in Control.

Khemani Offer Letter

Scilex entered into an offer letter with Mr. Khemani (the “Khemani Offer Letter”) dated March 29, 2019, pursuant to which Mr. Khemani serves as Scilex’s Chief Commercial Officer and Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, effective April 16, 2019. Under the Khemani Offer Letter, Mr. Khemani’s initial

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annual base salary was $350,000, which was most recently increased to $364,000 in 2020. Mr. Khemani’s employment with Scilex is at-will, and either Scilex or Mr. Khemani may terminate the terms and conditions of the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

On June 13, 2019, Scilex issued to Mr. Khemani an option to purchase 500,000 shares of its common stock, with an exercise price equal to $1.16 per share, whereby 25% of the shares vested on April 16, 2020, and 1/48th of the total amount of the shares vested and shall vest each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Khemani providing continuous service (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) on each such vesting date, inclusive. On December 21, 2020, Scilex issued to Mr. Khemani an additional option to purchase 378,000 shares of Scilex Common Stock, with an exercise price equal to $1.16 per share, whereby 25% of the shares vested on December 21, 2021, and 1/48th of the total amount of the shares vested and shall vest each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Khemani providing continuous service (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) on each such vesting date, inclusive. Each of the foregoing options also vest in full if there is a Change in Control (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan) and Mr. Khemani’s continuous service terminates due to an involuntary termination of employment without “cause” or due to a voluntary termination of employment with “good reason” (each, as defined in the applicable option agreement) within 13 months after the effective time of such Change in Control.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

During the year ended December 31, 2021, Scilex did not have any arrangement with any of its named executive officers providing for potential payments, compensation or other benefits upon termination or the occurrence of a change of control, other than accelerated vesting provisions pursuant to previously granted options as described above.

Perquisites, Health, Welfare and Retirement Benefits

Scilex’s executive officers, during their employment with Scilex, are eligible to participate in its employee benefit plans, including its medical, vision and dental insurance plans, in each case on the same basis as all of its other employees. Scilex generally does not provide perquisites or personal benefits to its named executive officers, except in limited circumstances. Scilex does, however, pay the premiums for medical, vision and dental insurance for all of its employees, including its named executive officers. The New Scilex Board may elect to adopt qualified or nonqualified benefit plans in the future if it determines that doing so is in the best interests of New Scilex.

Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Scilex does not provide a pension plan for its employees, and none of Scilex’s named executive officers participated in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2021

The following table presents certain information concerning outstanding equity awards held by each of Scilex’s named executive officers as of December 31, 2021. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, each outstanding equity award reflected in the table below will be equitably adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and the 2019 Stock Option Plan.

	Option awards(1)(2)
Name	Option Grant Date		Vesting Commencement Date		Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable		Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable		Option exercise price per share ($)			Option expiration date
Jaisim Shah		6/6/2019		3/18/2019		8,295,793		3,770,815		$	1.16		6/6/2029
Jaisim Shah		12/21/2020		12/21/2020		603,750		1,811,250		$	1.16		12/21/2030
Dmitri Lissin, M.D.		6/13/2019		3/18/2019		275,000		125,000		$	1.16		6/13/2029
Dmitri Lissin, M.D.		12/21/2020		12/21/2020		69,000		207,000		$	1.16		12/21/2030
Suresh Khemani		6/13/2019		4/16/2019		333,333		166,667		$	1.16		6/13/2029
Suresh Khemani		12/21/2020		12/21/2020		94,500		283,500		$	1.16		12/21/2030

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(1)

Each option was granted under the 2019 Stock Option Plan.

(2)

Each option vested as to 1/4th of the shares subject to the option on the one year anniversary of the vesting commencement date and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option vested and shall vest on each monthly anniversary thereafter, subject to full acceleration in the event of an involuntary termination of employment without “cause” or due to a voluntary termination of employment with “good reason” (each, as defined in the applicable option agreement) within 13 months following a Change in Control (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan).

Equity-Based Incentive Plans

2017 Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Equity Incentive Plan

The board of directors of Scilex Pharma originally adopted and its stockholders approved the 2017 Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Scilex Pharma 2017 Plan”) on June 26, 2017. The Scilex Pharma 2017 Plan was amended and restated on July 5, 2018.

The Scilex Pharma 2017 Plan, as amended and restated, provided that Scilex Pharma could grant incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock awards, stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights and other stock awards. The only form of equity award granted under the Scilex Pharma 2017 Plan was options to purchase shares of common stock.

As of immediately prior to the corporate reorganization that was effected in March 2019, the maximum number of shares of common stock of Scilex Pharma that could be issued under the Scilex Pharma 2017 Plan was 24,000,000, of which 18,099,000 remained available for future grants.

In connection with the corporate reorganization in March 2019, the Scilex Pharma 2017 Plan was terminated. Accordingly, after such time, no additional awards were granted under the Scilex Pharma 2017 Plan. Each option to purchase shares of common stock of Scilex Pharma outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Contribution was cancelled and substituted for an option to purchase the equivalent number of shares of Scilex Common Stock. Each new option was subject to the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately prior to the Contribution. No stock options of Scilex Pharma were outstanding following the reorganization.

As of December 31, 2021, options to purchase 1,420,000 shares of common stock were outstanding pursuant to options previously granted under the Scilex Pharma 2017 Plan.

Scilex Holding Company 2019 Stock Option Plan

The Scilex Board adopted the Scilex Holding Company 2019 Stock Option Plan (the “2019 Stock Option Plan”) on May 28, 2019. The 2019 Stock Option Plan was approved by Scilex’s stockholders on June 24, 2019. Upon adoption, 30,000,000 shares of Scilex Common Stock were authorized for issuance under the 2019 Stock Option Plan. The Scilex Board and Scilex’s stockholders approved an amendment to the 2019 Stock Option Plan on December 21, 2020 to increase the number of shares authorized thereunder by 15,000,000 shares. As of December 31, 2021, options to purchase 26,743,510 shares of Scilex Common Stock were outstanding under the 2019 Stock Option Plan. As of December 31, 2021, 18,256,490 shares were reserved for future issuance under the 2019 Stock Option Plan.

The 2019 Stock Option Plan will terminate at or prior to and contingent upon the consummation of the Business Combination, and no further awards will be granted under the 2019 Stock Option Plan thereafter. However, the 2019 Stock Option Plan will continue to govern outstanding awards granted thereunder. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, New Scilex will grant equity incentive awards under the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan. See the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Proposal 7 — The Stock Plan Proposal.”

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The following is only a summary of the material terms of the 2019 Stock Option Plan, is not a complete description of all provisions of the 2019 Stock Option Plan and should be read in conjunction with the 2019 Stock Option Plan, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part.

Authorized Shares. Under the 2019 Stock Option Plan, an aggregate of 30,000,000 shares of Scilex Common Stock were initially reserved for future issuance, which number was increased to 45,000,000 in December 2020. The authorized shares are subject to adjustment in the event of a change that occurs with respect to the common stock without the receipt of consideration by Scilex, including a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, recapitalization, reincorporation, reorganization, change in corporate structure, or similar equity restructuring transaction. Additionally, shares issued pursuant to awards under the 2019 Stock Option Plan that are repurchased or that are forfeited, as well as shares reacquired as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of an award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to an award, will become available for future grant under the 2019 Stock Option Plan.

Types of Awards. The 2019 Stock Option Plan provides for the granting of (1) incentive stock options intended to qualify as incentive stock options under the Code, (2) nonstatutory stock options that do not qualify as an incentive stock option, (3) stock appreciation rights, (4) restricted stock awards, (5) restricted stock unit awards and (6) other stock awards.

Eligibility. Incentive stock options may be granted only to Scilex’s employees or employees of its affiliates, and stock awards other than incentive stock options may be granted to employees, directors and consultants.

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. The Scilex Board determines the exercise price for stock options and stock appreciation rights, provided that the exercise price generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of Scilex Common Stock on the date of grant, subject to certain exceptions relating to the assumption or substitution of options or stock appreciation rights in connection with a corporate transaction in a manner consistent with Section 409A or, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Unless an award agreement provides otherwise, the termination date shall be: (1) the earlier of 18 months or upon the expiration of the option or stock appreciation right, if termination is due to death; (2) the earlier of 12 months or upon the expiration of the option or stock appreciation right, if termination is due to disability; or (3) three months, if termination is due to reasons other than for death, disability or cause. If the termination of service is due to cause, the stock option or stock appreciation right will terminate immediately upon such termination of service, and the participant will be prohibited from exercising the option or stock appreciation right.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each restricted stock and restricted stock unit award agreement will be in the form and contain such terms and conditions as the Scilex Board deems appropriate. Unless otherwise provided in the award agreement, the Scilex Board will hold certificates or, if not certificated, other indicia representing the restricted shares. If a recipient’s service terminates, Scilex may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right, any or all of the shares of common stock held by the recipient as of the date of termination. Restricted stock units not yet vested shall be forfeited upon termination of the recipient’s employment unless otherwise set forth in the award.

Transferability. Stock options or stock appreciation rights are generally not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise provided under the 2019 Stock Option Plan. Restricted stock awards may be transferable by the participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock award agreement, as the Scilex Board will determine in its sole discretion.

Administration. The 2019 Stock Option Plan is administered by Scilex’s board of directors, although the Scilex Board may delegate the administration of the 2019 Stock Option Plan to a committee. The administrator has full power to determine, among other things: (1) who will be granted awards; (2) when and how each award will be granted; (3) what type of award will be granted; (4) the provisions of each award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or shares of common stock under the award; (5) the number of shares of common stock subject to an award; and (6) the fair market value applicable to an award.

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Change in Control/Corporate Transactions. The 2019 Stock Option Plan provides that in the event of a change in control transaction (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan), a stock award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability as may be provided in the stock award agreement for such stock award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between Scilex or its affiliate and the participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur. In addition, the 2019 Stock Option Plan provides that in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the 2019 Stock Option Plan), the Scilex Board has the discretion to take a number of actions with respect to awards contingent upon the closing of the transaction, including arranging for the assumption or substitution of awards, arranging for the assignment of repurchase rights in respect of awards, accelerating the vesting of awards, canceling awards or making payments in respect of awards.

Amendment. The Scilex Board generally has the authority to amend awards, subject to the award recipient’s consent if the amendment is not favorable to the participant, except in connection with a capitalization adjustments.

Emerging Growth Company Status

New Scilex will be an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, it will be exempted from certain requirements related to executive compensation, including the requirements to hold a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and to provide information relating to the ratio of total compensation of its Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of all of its employees, each as required by the Investor Protection and Securities Reform Act of 2010, which is part of the Dodd-Frank Act.

New Scilex Executive Officer Compensation Following the Business Combination

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Scilex intends to develop an executive compensation program that is designed to align compensation with New Scilex’s business objectives and the creation of stockholder value, while enabling New Scilex to attract, retain, incentivize and reward individuals who contribute to the long-term success of New Scilex. Decisions on the executive compensation program will be made by the New Scilex Board and specifically through the New Scilex Board’s Compensation Committee. Scilex expects that the compensation policies followed by New Scilex will be designed to provide for compensation that is sufficient to attract, motivate and retain executives of New Scilex and to establish an appropriate relationship between executive compensation and the creation of stockholder value.

In addition to the guidance provided by its Compensation Committee, the New Scilex Board may utilize the services of third parties from time to time in connection with the recruiting, hiring and determination of compensation awarded to executive employees. In connection with the Business Combination, the Scilex Board retained the services of a compensation consultant, Compensia, to formulate a report and make recommendations regarding our compensation programs and executive compensation levels. The compensation consultant provided our compensation committee with benchmark comparative data for our executive officers with respect to base salaries, target and actual total cash compensation levels, and long-term incentive values. The Scilex Board used the data provided by the compensation consultant to make an initial determination of the competitiveness of total direct compensation for each executive officer to align the cash and equity compensation of our executive officers with the 50th to 75th percentile as compared to our peer group.

New Scilex is currently negotiating the terms of new employment agreements with the individuals that are expected to become the executive officers of New Scilex (the effectiveness of which will be subject to the successful Closing of the Business Combination) and it is currently anticipated that, upon the Closing of the Business Combination, and based upon the information provided by Compensia, the New Scilex Board

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SCILEX’S DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Scilex’s only non-employee director during 2021, Tien-Li Lee, M.D., received the following compensation in connection with providing consulting services to Scilex in 2021:

Name(1)			Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)						Option Awards ($)						All Other Compensation ($)						Total ($)
Tien-Li Lee, M.D.(2)					—						—						75,000(3)						75,000

(1)

Dr. Ji, Scilex’s Executive Chairperson, and Mr. Shah, Scilex’s Chief Executive Officer and President, are not included in this table, as each of them is an employee of Scilex and therefore receives no compensation for his service as a director. Mr. Shah’s compensation as a named executive officer is included in the section entitled “— Summary Compensation Table” above.

(2)

As of December 31, 2021, Dr. Lee held options to purchase an aggregate of 635,000 shares of Scilex Common Stock.

(3)

Consists of fees earned by Dr. Lee for non-employee consulting services provided to Scilex under a consulting agreement dated October 27, 2020, as amended on March 17, 2021.

In April 2022, the Scilex Board determined that the annual cash compensation of Scilex’s non-employee, independent directors would be $82,500.

New Scilex Director Compensation Following the Business Combination

It is currently anticipated that, upon the closing of the Business Combination, the New Scilex Board will approve the following compensation for New Scilex’s non-employee directors:

Annual Cash Compensation	Amount
Board Members		$	82,500
Chairs of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee		$	37,500
Members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee		$	15,000

Equity Compensation	Number
Initial Stock Options		100,000
Annual Stock Options		250,000

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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF NEW SCILEX
AFTER THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

The following sets forth certain information, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus concerning the persons who are expected to serve as directors and executive officers of New Scilex following the consummation of the Business Combination.

Executive Officers and Directors after the Business Combination

Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the business and affairs of New Scilex will be managed by or under the direction of the New Scilex Board. The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of the expected directors and executive officers of New Scilex following the consummation of the Business Combination as of June 30, 2022.

Name	Age	Position(s)
Executive Officers:
Jaisim Shah	62	Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Henry Ji, Ph.D.	58	Executive Chairperson and Director
Elizabeth A. Czerepak	66	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Suketu D. Desai, Ph.D	57	Chief Technical Officer
Suresh K. Khemani	62	Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
Dmitri V. Lissin, M.D	53	Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Non-employee Directors:
Dorman Followwill(1)(2)(3)	59	Director
Laura J. Hamill(1)(2)(3)	57	Director
Tien-Li Lee, M.D.(2)(3)	47	Director
David Lemus(1)	59	Director
Tommy Thompson	80	Director

(1)

Member of the New Scilex audit committee, effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

(2)

Member of the New Scilex compensation committee, effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

(3)

Member of the New Scilex nominating and corporate governance committee, effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

Executive Officers

Jaisim Shah. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Mr. Shah will serve as New Scilex’s Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of the New Scilex Board. He has served as Scilex’s President, Chief Executive Officer and a board member since March 2019. He has more than 25 years of global biopharma experience, including over 15 years in senior management leading business development, commercial operations, investor relations, marketing and medical affairs. He also served as the Chief Executive Officer and a board member of Semnur from its inception in 2013 until its acquisition by Scilex in March 2019. Mr. Shah has served on the board of directors of Scilex Pharma since November 2016. Prior to Semnur, Mr. Shah was a consultant to several businesses, including Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded company, and was the Chief Business Officer of Elevation Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where Mr. Shah led a successful sale of Elevation to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. in September 2012. Prior to Elevation, Mr. Shah was president of Zelos Therapeutics, Inc., where he focused on financing and business development. Prior to Zelos, Mr. Shah was the Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer at CytRx Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company. Previously, Mr. Shah was Chief Business Officer at Facet Biotech Corporation and PDL BioPharma, Inc., where he completed numerous licensing/ partnering and strategic transactions with pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Prior to PDL, Mr. Shah was at Bristol-Myers Squibb, most

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recently as Vice President of Global Marketing where he received the “President’s Award” for completing one of the most significant collaborations in the company’s history. Previously, Mr. Shah was at F. Hoffman-La Roche AG in international marketing and was global business leader for corporate alliances with Genentech, Inc. and IDEC Corporation. Mr. Shah previously served as a director of Celularity Inc. from June 2017 to July 2021. He has served as a director of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded company, since September 2013. Mr. Shah holds a M.A. in Economics from the University of Akron and a M.B.A. from Oklahoma University. The Scilex Board believes that Mr. Shah’s extensive operational, executive and business development experience qualifies him to serve on the New Scilex Board.

Henry Ji, Ph.D. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Dr. Ji will serve as New Scilex’s Executive Chairperson and a member of the New Scilex Board. He has served as Scilex’s Executive Chairperson and a board member since March 2019. Dr. Ji has served on the board of directors of Scilex Pharma since November 2016 and he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Scilex Pharma from November 2016 to March 2019. He co-founded and has served as a director of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded company, since January 2006, served as its Chief Scientific Officer from November 2008 to September 2012, as its Interim Chief Executive Officer from April 2011 to September 2012, as its Secretary from September 2009 to June 2011, as its Chief Executive Officer and President since September 2012 and as Chairman of its board of directors since August 2017. In 2002, Dr. Ji founded BioVintage, Inc., a research and development company focusing on innovative life sciences technology and product development, and has served as its President since 2002. From 2001 to 2002, Dr. Ji served as Vice President of CombiMatrix Corporation, a publicly-traded biotechnology company that develops proprietary technologies, including products and services in the areas of drug development, genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics and nanotechnology. During his tenure at CombiMatrix, Dr. Ji was responsible for strategic technology alliances with biopharmaceutical companies. From 1999 to 2001, Dr. Ji served as Director of Business Development, and in 2001 as Vice President of Stratagene Corporation (later acquired by Agilent Technologies, Inc.) where he was responsible for novel technology and product licensing and development. In 1997, Dr. Ji co-founded Stratagene Genomics, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stratagene Corporation, and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer from its founding until 1999. Dr. Ji previously served as a director of Celularity Inc. from June 2017 to July 2021. Dr. Ji is the holder of several issued and pending patents in the life science research field and is the sole inventor of Sorrento’s intellectual property. Dr. Ji has a Ph.D. in Animal Physiology from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Fudan University. Dr. Ji has demonstrated significant leadership skills as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratagene Genomics, Inc. and Vice President of CombiMatrix Corporation and Stratagene Corporation and brings more than 20 years of biotechnology and biopharmaceutical experience to his position on the Scilex Board. The Scilex Board believes that Dr. Ji’s extensive knowledge of the industry in which Scilex operates allows him to bring to the New Scilex Board a broad understanding of the operational and strategic issues New Scilex faces.

Elizabeth A. Czerepak. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Ms. Czerepak will serve as New Scilex’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. She served on the Scilex Board from September 2019 to October 2020 and on the board of directors of Sorrento from October 2021 to May 2022. Ms. Czerepak has over 35 years of experience in big pharma, biotechnology and venture capital. Since September 2020, she has served as the Chief Financial Officer of BeyondSpring Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative immuno-oncology cancer therapies. From May 2018 to January 2020, Ms. Czerepak served as the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Business Officer of Genevant Sciences, Inc., a technology-focused lipid nanoparticle delivery company, From 2015 to 2018 she served as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Development of Altimmune, Inc., a clinical stage vaccines company, and from 2014 to 2015, she served as the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Business Officer of Isarna Therapeutics Inc., which develops selective transforming growth factor beta inhibitors for cancer, ophthalmic and fibrotic diseases. From 2011 to 2014, Ms. Czerepak served as the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Principal Accounting Officer and Head of Human Resources at Cancer Genetics, Inc., a company that develops and commercializes molecular diagnostics. Prior to that, she served as a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bear, Stearns & Co., a General Partner at Bear Stearns Health Innoventures L.P., a venture capital fund and as a NASD (now FINRA) Registered Representative (Series 7 and Series 63). Since February 2020, Ms. Czerepak has served as a director and chair of the audit committee of Delcath Systems, Inc., an interventional oncology company focused on the treatment of liver cancer. Ms. Czerepak previously served on the board of directors of Spectrum

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Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from June 2019 to December 2020. She holds a B.A. magna cum laude in Spanish and Mathematics Education from Marshall University and a M.B.A. from Rutgers University in 1982. In 2020, Ms. Czerepak earned a Corporate Director Certificate from Harvard Business School.

Suketu D. Desai, Ph.D. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Dr. Desai will serve as New Scilex’s Chief Technical Officer. He has served as Scilex’s Chief Technical Officer since March 2019. Dr. Desai has over 25 years of experience in the biologics and pharmaceutical industry and has served as the Chief Technical Officer and Senior Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls, Regulatory CMC and Quality of Semnur since December 2015. Prior to Semnur, Dr. Desai was Vice President of Biologics Development and Manufacturing for biologics drug substance and drug product, technical due diligence and commercial technical operations at Allergan, Inc., which was acquired by Actavis, plc, from February 2014 to June 2015. Dr. Desai was an independent consultant during 2013. From October 2011 to February 2012, he was Vice President of Biotechnology Technical Operations for biologics drug substance and drug product, analytical, manufacturing and technical due diligence at Cephalon, Inc., which was acquired by Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited. From January 2007 to October 2011, he was Vice President of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls, Regulatory CMC and Quality at Ception Therapeutics, Inc. Prior to Ception Therapeutics, Inc., Dr. Desai held various leadership positions at Centocor, Inc., AAI Pharma Development Services, Aronex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Desai has a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Arizona, Tucson and a Master’s degree in Pharmacology and Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India. Dr. Desai has contributed to several commercial biologic products (Botox, Cinquair, Simponi, Remicade, ReoPro, Retavase and Eprex) and pharmaceutical products (Azopt and Volfenol) and late-stage clinical products including abicipar pegol.

Suresh K. Khemani. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Mr. Khemani will serve as New Scilex’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. He has served as Scilex’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer since March 2019. Mr. Khemani has served as a strategic commercial consultant at Cytokinetics, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company that develops muscle activators, since October 2013. Prior to Cytokinetics, Mr. Khemani served as Vice President of Commercial and Medical Affairs at Knopp Biosciences LLC from September 2010 to September 2013. Mr. Khemani has over 25 years of senior management experience in the industry and successfully launched both specialty and large market products. His therapeutic areas include pain, neurology, oncology, immunology and cardiovascular disease. Mr. Khemani is a board member of Full Spectrum Genetics, Inc., a private antibody technology company. Mr. Khemani received a Bachelor’s degree in pharmacology from K.M.K. College of Pharmacy. Mr. Khemani is a registered pharmacist licensed to practice in California and New Jersey.

Dmitri V. Lissin, M.D. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Dr. Lissin will serve as New Scilex’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Lissin has served as Scilex’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer since March 2019. Dr. Lissin has served as the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs of Semnur since July 2015. Prior to Semnur, from September 2011 to August 2015, Dr. Lissin was Vice President of Clinical Development at XenoPort, Inc., responsible for conducting multiple clinical research programs in neurology and dermatology. From August 2006 to September 2011, Dr. Lissin directed a clinical research team and served as a member of the Executive Committee at DURECT Corporation, designing and executing clinical trials in chronic nociceptive, neuropathic and acute post-operative pain, which led to successful licensing deals and NDA filings. From 1998 to 2006, Dr. Lissin managed various clinical research and development programs at Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aerogen Ltd. and Synarc Inc. Dr. Lissin has broad expertise with proprietary drug-delivery technologies applied to therapeutic products spanning numerous clinical areas, including pain and neurological disorders. He received his post-doctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco, and his M.D. degree through an exchange program between Russian National Medical University and Harvard Medical School.

Non-employee Directors

Dorman Followwill. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Mr. Followwill will serve as a member of the New Scilex Board. He has served as a director of Scilex since April 2022, as a director of Sorrento since October 2017 and as its lead independent director since August 2020. Mr. Followwill was

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Senior Partner of Transformational Health at Frost & Sullivan, a business consulting firm involved in market research and analysis, growth strategy consulting and corporate training across multiple industries, from 2016 to September 2020. Prior to that time, he served in various roles at Frost & Sullivan, including Partner on the Executive Committee managing the P&L of the business in Europe, Israel and Africa, and Partner overseeing the Healthcare and Life Sciences business in North America, since initially joining Frost & Sullivan to help found the Consulting practice in January 1988. Mr. Followwill has more than 30 years of organizational leadership and management consulting experience, having worked on hundreds of consulting projects across all major regions and across multiple industry sectors, each project focused around the strategic imperative of growth. He holds a B.A. from Stanford University in The Management of Organizations. The Scilex Board believes that Mr. Followwill’s extensive knowledge and understanding of the healthcare and life sciences industries qualify him to serve on the New Scilex Board.

Laura J. Hamill. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Ms. Hamill will serve as a member of the New Scilex Board. Ms. Hamill has served as a director of Scilex since April 2022 and has extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with over 30 years of global commercial operational roles in a variety of executive leadership positions. Since mid-2019, Ms. Hamill has served as the founder and a consultant at Hamill Advisory Group, LLC. From September 2018 to July 2019, Ms. Hamill served as the Executive Vice President, Worldwide Commercial Operations at Gilead Sciences, Inc., a research-based biopharmaceutical company, where she was responsible for leading the company’s global commercial strategic direction and delivering annual revenue of $20 billion. Prior to joining Gilead, Ms. Hamill held a number of U.S. and international executive positions at Amgen Corporation, a biotechnology company focused on discovering and delivering innovative human therapeutics, from July 2000 to August 2018, most recently as Senior Vice President, U.S. Commercial Operations. During her time at Amgen, Ms. Hamill established the company’s intercontinental region and managed the company’s international marketing and business operations while living abroad in Switzerland for three years. She also served as a member of the company’s corporate governance team, such as business development, global commercial operations, the Amgen foundation and chair for the company’s Senior Women’s Leadership Council. In addition, Ms. Hamill previously held a variety of executive roles in the biopharmaceutical industry, including positions at Klemtner Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG. Ms. Hamill has served on the board of directors of a number of public companies, including AnaptysBio, Inc. since September 2019, Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc. since April 2020, Pardes Biosciences, Inc. since August 2021 and BB Biotech AG since March 2022. She previously served as a director at Acceleron Pharma Inc. (acquired by Merck) from September 2020 to December 2021. Ms. Hamill holds a B.A. in business administration from the University of Arizona. The Scilex Board believes that Ms. Hamill is qualified to serve on the New Scilex Board because of her extensive leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and her global commercial operations and strategic planning expertise.

Tien-Li Lee, M.D. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Dr. Lee will serve as a member of the New Scilex Board. Dr. Lee has served as a director of Scilex since March 2019 and as a director of Scilex Pharma since November 2018. Dr. Lee has over 20 years of experience as a biotechnology innovator and executive who has been integrally involved with the founding or advancement of several biopharmaceutical companies. He is the founder and has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. since March 2017. Prior to that, Dr. Lee joined NantKwest, Inc., a publicly-traded immunotherapy company in 2014 and served as its Chief Strategy Officer until March 2017. His experience includes therapeutics for immunology, cardiovascular, oncology, neurology, and infectious disease indications. Dr. Lee is also an inventor or co-inventor of multiple biomedical and biotechnology innovations, licensed or assigned to several companies for development including NantKwest, Inc., Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, Cellics Therapeutics, Inc., Sorrento and Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. Lee earned his M.D. degree from the University of California, San Diego and his B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley in Molecular Biology. The Scilex Board believes that Dr. Lee is qualified to serve on the New Scilex Board because of his experience in management roles at life sciences companies and extensive academic and professional background in the field of biotechnology.

David Lemus. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Mr. Lemus will serve as a member of the New Scilex Board. He has served as a director of Scilex since April 2022 and as a director of Sorrento since October 2017. Mr. Lemus has served as Chief Executive Officer of IronShore Pharmaceuticals Inc. since January 2020 as well as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LEMAX LLC since 2017. He also

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currently serves as a non-executive board member of Silence Therapeutics, plc and BioHealth Innovation, Inc. and served previously on several other boards of public and private companies as a non-executive director. He served from November 2017 to September 2018 as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Proteros biosciences GmbH. Previously, from January 2016 to May 2017, he served as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Medigene AG. Prior to that time, at Sigma Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc., he served as Chief Executive Officer from January 2013 to July 2015, as Chief Operating Officer from March 2012 to December 2012, and as V.P. Finance from July 2011 to February 2012. Mr. Lemus previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive V.P. of MorphoSys AG from January 1998 to May 2011. Prior to his role at MorphoSys AG, he held various positions, including Operations Manager and Controller (Pharma International Division) and Global IT Project Manager (Pharma Division) at F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Group Treasurer of Lindt & Spruengli AG and Treasury Consultant for Electrolux AB. Mr. Lemus received a M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management in 1988 and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland in 1984. Mr. Lemus is also a certified public accountant licensed in the State of Maryland. The Scilex Board believes that Mr. Lemus’ extensive accounting and financial background and business experience in the life sciences industry qualify him to serve on the New Scilex Board.

Tommy Thompson. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Mr. Thompson will serve as a member of the New Scilex Board. Mr. Thompson has served on the Scilex Board since July 2022. Mr. Thompson currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Thompson Holdings, a consulting firm. From July 2020 to March 2022, Mr. Thompson served as University of Wisconsin System President. From 2005 to 2012, Mr. Thompson was a partner in the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, D.C, and as an Adjunct Senior Advisor from 2017 to 2020. February 2005 to January 2011, Mr. Thompson served as President of Logistics Health, Inc., a provider of medical readiness and homeland security solutions. Prior to entering the private sector in 2005, Mr. Thompson enjoyed a long and distinguished career in public service. From February 2001 to January 2005, Mr. Thompson served as the former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, where he served as the nation’s leading advocate for the health and welfare of all Americans. Prior to that, Mr. Thompson served four terms as Governor of Wisconsin from January 1987 to February 2001, where he was best known for his efforts to revitalize the Wisconsin economy, for his national leadership on welfare reform, and for his work toward expanding health care access across all segments of society. Mr. Thompson currently serves as Chairman of the board of directors of Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE: DOC) and of TherapeuticsMD, Inc. and also serves as a member of the board of directors of United Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq: UTHR). He previously served on the boards of directors of various other companies, including Logistics Health, Inc. Health Solutions, a health care consulting company, C. R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE: BCR), Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Cytori Therapeutics, Inc.) (Nasdaq: PSTV), CareView Communications, Inc. (OTCQB: CRVW), Vyant Bio, Inc. (formerly Cancer Genetics, Inc.) (Nasdaq: VYNT), and Pure Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: PURE). Mr. Thompson received both his B.S. and J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Scilex Board believes that Mr. Thompson is qualified to serve on the New Scilex Board because of his experience in public service, particularly his services and knowledge related to the health care industry as a whole, and extensive board experience.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of the individuals who shall serve as the directors or executive officers of New Scilex following the consummation of the Business Combination.

Composition of the New Scilex Board

New Scilex’s business and affairs will be managed under the direction of the New Scilex Board. New Scilex anticipates that the New Scilex Board will consist of seven members upon Closing of the Business Combination. Dr. Ji will serve as Executive Chairperson of the New Scilex Board. The primary responsibilities of the New Scilex Board will be to provide oversight, strategic guidance, counseling and direction to New Scilex’s management. The New Scilex Board will meet on a regular basis and on an ad hoc basis as required.

In accordance with the terms of the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws, each of which will become effective immediately prior to and upon the completion of the Business Combination, the New Scilex Board will be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms, as follows:

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The Class I directors will be Dorman Followwill, David Lemus, and Tommy Thompson and their term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023;

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The Class II directors will be Tien-Li Lee, M.D. and Laura J. Hamill and their term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024; and

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The Class III directors will be Henry Ji, Ph.D. and Jaisim Shah and their term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2025.

At each annual meeting of stockholders to be held after the initial classification, the successors to directors whose terms will then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following their election. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the New Scilex Board will be determined exclusively by the New Scilex Board; provided that, at any time the Sorrento Group beneficially owns, in the aggregate, at least 50% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of New Scilex’s capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, the stockholders may also fix the number of directors by resolutions adopted by the stockholders. Any increase or decrease in the number of directors will be apportioned among the three classes so that, as nearly equal as practicable, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the New Scilex Board will shorten the term of any incumbent director. New Scilex’s directors may be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of New Scilex’s capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of such directors; provided, however, that, from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event any such director or all such directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of New Scilex’s capital stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

Subject to applicable law and the Proposed Charter and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of New Scilex Preferred Stock, any vacancy on the New Scilex Board may be filled by the New Scilex Board or the stockholders of New Scilex; provided, however, that from and after the Sorrento Trigger Event, any such vacancy shall be filled only by the New Scilex Board and not by the stockholders of New Scilex. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the class to which he or she has been appointed and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification.

Controlled Company Exemption

After the completion of the Business Combination, Sorrento will continue to control a majority of the voting power for the election of directors. As a result, New Scilex will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

Under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance standards, including, but not limited to, the requirements (i) that a majority of its board of directors consist of independent directors, (ii) that its board of directors have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities and (iii) that director nominees must be selected or recommended for the board’s selection, either by independent directors constituting a majority of the board’s independent directors in a vote in which only independent directors participate, or a nominating and corporate governance committee comprised solely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities. While New Scilex does not presently intend to rely on these exemptions, New Scilex may opt to utilize these exemptions in the future as long as it remains a controlled company. Accordingly, New Scilex stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq. If New Scilex ceases to be a “controlled company” and its shares of common stock continue to be listed on Nasdaq, New Scilex will be required to comply with these standards and, depending on the New Scilex Board’s independence determination with respect to its then-current directors, New Scilex may be required to add additional directors to the New Scilex Board in order to achieve such compliance within the applicable transition periods. See the section

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entitled “Risk Factors — Following the Business Combination, New Scilex will be a controlled company within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and, as a result, will qualify for, and may rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. Stockholders of New Scilex may not have the same protection afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such governance requirements.”

Director Independence

Under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, a majority of the members of the New Scilex Board must satisfy Nasdaq's criteria for “independence.” As a “controlled company”, New Scilex is largely exempted from such requirements. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the New Scilex Board is expected to determine that each of the directors on the New Scilex Board, other than Dr. Ji and Mr. Shah (as a result of their positions as New Scilex’s Executive Chairperson and New Scilex’s Chief Executive Officer, respectively), will qualify as independent directors, as defined by Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the New Scilex Board will consist of a majority of “independent directors” as defined under the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq relating to director independence requirements. In addition, New Scilex will be subject to the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq relating to the membership, qualifications and operations of the audit committee, as discussed below.

Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process

Risk assessment and oversight are an integral part of Scilex’s governance and management processes. The Scilex Board encourages management to promote a culture that incorporates risk management into its corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations. Management discusses strategic and operational (including cybersecurity) risks at regular management meetings, and conducts specific strategic planning and review sessions during the year that include a focused discussion and analysis of the risks facing Scilex. Throughout the year, senior management reviews these risks with the Scilex Board at regular board meetings as part of management presentations that focus on particular business functions, operations or strategies, and presents the steps taken by management to mitigate or eliminate such risks.

Effective upon the Closing of the Business Combination, the New Scilex Board will be responsible for overseeing the company’s overall risk management process. The responsibility for managing risk rests with executive management while the committees of the New Scilex Board and the New Scilex Board as a whole participate in the oversight process. The New Scilex Board’s risk oversight process builds upon management’s risk assessment and mitigation processes, which include reviews of long-term strategic and operational planning, executive development and evaluation, regulatory and legal compliance and financial reporting and internal controls with respect to areas of potential material risk, including operations, finance, legal, regulatory, cybersecurity, strategic and reputational risk.

Board Leadership Structure

The Proposed Bylaws will provide the New Scilex Board with the discretion to combine or separate the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairperson of the New Scilex Board. The Scilex Board is, and the New Scilex Board is expected to be, chaired by Dr. Ji. The New Scilex Board believes that separation of the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairperson of the New Scilex Board creates an environment that encourages objective oversight of management’s performance and enhances the effectiveness of the New Scilex Board as a whole. New Scilex believes that this separation of responsibilities will provide a balanced approach to managing the New Scilex Board and overseeing the company. However, the New Scilex Board will continue to periodically review its leadership structure and may make such changes in the future as it deems appropriate.

Board Diversity

In evaluating a director candidate’s qualifications, the New Scilex Board will assess whether a candidate possesses the integrity, judgment, knowledge, experience, skills and expertise that are likely to enhance New Scilex’s ability, as well as the ability of the committees of the New Scilex Board, to manage and direct New Scilex’s affairs and business. The New Scilex Board may consider many factors, such as personal and professional integrity, ethics and values; experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly-held company; and experience as a board member or executive officer of

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another publicly-held company. In addition, the New Scilex Board may consider diversity in identifying potential director nominees, including diversity of expertise and experience in substantive matters pertaining to New Scilex’s business relative to other board members and diversity of background and perspective, including, but not limited to, with respect to age, gender, race, place of residence and specialized experience.

Committees of the New Scilex Board

Effective upon the Closing of the Business Combination, the New Scilex Board will reconstitute the audit committee, compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee. The New Scilex Board will adopt a new charter for each of these committees, which will comply with the applicable requirements of current Nasdaq Listing Rules. Following the Closing of the Business Combination, copies of the charters for each committee will be available on the investor relations portion of New Scilex’s website. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of the New Scilex Board are as set forth below. Members will serve on these committees until their resignation or removal or until otherwise determined by the New Scilex Board.

Audit Committee

New Scilex’s audit committee will consist of David Lemus, Laura J. Hamill and Dorman Followwill, with David Lemus serving as the chairperson of the committee. Each of the members of the audit committee will satisfy the independence requirements under the applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules and SEC rules. Each member of the audit committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq Listing Rules.

The responsibilities of the audit committee will be included in a written charter. The audit committee will assist the New Scilex Board in fulfilling the New Scilex Board’s oversight responsibilities with respect to New Scilex’s accounting and financial reporting processes, the systems of internal control over financial reporting and audits of financial statements and reports, the performance of New Scilex’s internal audit function, the quality and integrity of New Scilex’s financial statements and reports, the qualifications, independence and performance of New Scilex’s independent registered public accounting firm, and New Scilex’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. For this purpose, the audit committee performs several functions. The audit committee’s responsibilities will include, among others:

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appointing, determining the compensation of, retaining, overseeing and evaluating New Scilex’s independent registered public accounting firm and any other registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of performing other review or attest services for New Scilex;

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prior to commencement of the audit engagement, reviewing and discussing with the independent registered public accounting firm a written disclosure by the prospective independent registered public accounting firm of all relationships between New Scilex, or persons in financial oversight roles with New Scilex, and such independent registered public accounting firm or their affiliates;

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determining and approving engagements of the independent registered public accounting firm, prior to commencement of the engagement, and the scope of and plans for the audit;

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monitoring the rotation of partners of the independent registered public accounting firm on New Scilex’s audit engagement;

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reviewing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm any fraud that includes management or other employees who have a significant role in New Scilex’s internal control over financial reporting and any significant changes in internal controls;

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establishing and overseeing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

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reviewing the results of management’s efforts to monitor compliance with New Scilex’s programs and policies designed to ensure compliance with laws and rules;

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overseeing New Scilex’s programs, policies and procedures related to New Scilex’s information technology systems, including information asset security and data protection; and

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reviewing and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the results of the annual audit and the independent registered public accounting firm’s assessment of the quality and acceptability of New Scilex’s accounting principles and practices and all other matters required to be communicated to the audit committee by the independent registered public accounting firm under generally accepted accounting standards, the results of the independent registered public accounting firm’s review of New Scilex’s quarterly financial information prior to public disclosure and New Scilex’s disclosures in its periodic reports filed with the SEC.

David Lemus, Laura J. Hamill and Dorman Followwill will each qualify as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and meet the financial sophistication requirements under the Nasdaq Listing Rules. New Scilex’s independent registered public accounting firm and New Scilex management will periodically meet separately with the audit committee.

The audit committee will review, discuss and assess its own performance and composition at least annually. The audit committee will also periodically review and assesses the adequacy of its charter, including its role and responsibilities as outlined in its charter, and recommend any proposed changes to the New Scilex Board for its consideration and approval.

The composition and functioning of the audit committee will comply with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC rules and Nasdaq Listing Rules. New Scilex intends to comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable to New Scilex.

Compensation Committee

New Scilex’s compensation committee will consist of Tien-Li Lee, M.D., Dorman Followwill and Laura J. Hamill, with Tien-Li Lee, M.D. serving as the chairperson of the committee. Tien-Li Lee, M.D., Dorman Followwill and Laura J. Hamill will each satisfy the independence requirements under the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Each of the members of the compensation committee will be a non-employee director as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and will satisfy Nasdaq independence requirements. The compensation committee will act on behalf of the New Scilex Board to fulfill the New Scilex Board’s responsibilities in overseeing the company’s compensation policies, plans and programs; and in reviewing and determining the compensation to be paid to the executive officers and non-employee directors of New Scilex. The responsibilities of the compensation committee are included in its written charter. The compensation committee’s responsibilities will include, among others:

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reviewing, modifying and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the New Scilex Board regarding) New Scilex’s overall compensation strategy and policies, and reviewing, modifying and approving corporate performance goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of New Scilex’s executive officers and other senior management;

•

determining and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, recommending to the New Scilex Board for determination and approval) the compensation and terms of employment of New Scilex’s Chief Executive Officer, including seeking to achieve an appropriate level of risk and reward in determining the long-term incentive component of the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer;

•

reviewing and approving (or, if it deems appropriate, making recommendations to the New Scilex Board regarding) the terms of employment agreements and severance agreements;

•

change-of-control protections and other compensatory arrangements for New Scilex’s executive officers and other members of senior management;

•

conducting periodic reviews of the base compensation levels of all of New Scilex’s employees generally;

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•

reviewing and approving the type and amount of compensation to be paid or awarded to non-employee directors;

•

reviewing and approving the adoption, amendment and termination of New Scilex’s equity incentive plans, stock appreciation rights plans, pension and profit sharing plans, incentive plans, stock bonus plans, stock purchase plans, bonus plans, deferred compensation plans, 401(k) plans, supplemental retirement plans and similar programs, if any; and administering all such plans, establishing guidelines, interpreting plan documents, selecting participants, approving grants and awards and exercising such other power and authority as may be permitted or required under such plans; and

•

reviewing New Scilex’s incentive compensation arrangements to determine whether such arrangements encourage excessive risk-taking, reviewing and discussing at least annually the relationship between New Scilex’s risk management policies and practices and compensation and evaluating compensation policies and practices that could mitigate any such risk.

In addition, once New Scilex ceases to be an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, the responsibilities of the compensation committee will also include:

•

reviewing and recommending to the New Scilex Board for approval the frequency with which New Scilex conducts a vote on executive compensation, taking into account the results of the most recent stockholder advisory vote on the frequency of the vote on executive compensation, and reviewing and approving the proposals regarding the frequency of the vote on executive compensation to be included in New Scilex’s annual meeting proxy statements; and

•

reviewing and discussing with management New Scilex’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis, and recommending to the New Scilex Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be approved for inclusion in New Scilex’s annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements and New Scilex’s annual meeting proxy statements.

Under its charter, the compensation committee may form, and delegate authority to, subcommittees as appropriate. The compensation committee will review, discuss and assess its own performance and composition at least annually. The compensation committee will also periodically review and assess the adequacy of its charter, including its role and responsibilities as outlined in its charter, and recommend any proposed changes to the New Scilex Board for its consideration and approval.

The composition and functioning of the compensation committee will comply with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC rules and Nasdaq Listing Rules. New Scilex intends to comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable to New Scilex.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

New Scilex’s nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of Tien-Li Lee, M.D., Dorman Followwill and Laura J. Hamill, with Dorman Followwill serving as the chairperson of the committee. Tien-Li Lee, M.D., Dorman Followwill and Laura J. Hamill will each satisfy the independence requirements under the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee are included in its written charter. The nominating and corporate governance committee will act on behalf of the New Scilex Board to fulfill the New Scilex Board’s responsibilities in overseeing all aspects of the company’s nominating and corporate governance functions. The responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee will include, among others:

•

making recommendations to the New Scilex Board regarding corporate governance issues;

•

identifying, reviewing and evaluating qualified candidates to serve as directors (consistent with criteria approved by the New Scilex Board);

•

determining the minimum qualifications for service on the New Scilex Board;

•

reviewing and evaluating incumbent directors;

•

instituting and overseeing director orientation and director continuing education programs;

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•

serving as a focal point for communication between candidates, non-committee directors and New Scilex’s management;

•

recommending to the New Scilex Board for selection candidates to serve as nominees for director for the annual meeting of stockholders;

•

making other recommendations to the New Scilex Board regarding matters relating to the directors;

•

reviewing succession plans for New Scilex’s Chief Executive Officer and its other executive officers;

•

reviewing and overseeing matters of corporate responsibility and sustainability, including potential long- and short-term trends and impacts to New Scilex’s business of environmental, social and governance issues, and its public reporting on these topics; and

•

considering any recommendations for nominees and proposals submitted by stockholders.

The nominating and corporate governance committee will periodically review, discuss and assess the performance of the New Scilex Board and the committees of the New Scilex Board. In fulfilling this responsibility, the nominating and corporate governance committee will seek input from senior management, the New Scilex Board and others. In assessing the New Scilex Board, the nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate the overall composition of the New Scilex Board, the New Scilex Board’s contribution as a whole and its effectiveness in serving New Scilex’s best interests and the best interests of New Scilex’s stockholders. The nominating and corporate governance committee will review, discuss and assess its own performance and composition at least annually. The nominating and corporate governance committee will also periodically review and assess the adequacy of its charter, including its role and responsibilities as outlined in its charter, and recommend any proposed changes to the New Scilex Board for its consideration and approval.

The composition and functioning of the nominating and corporate governance committee will comply with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all applicable SEC rules and Nasdaq Listing Rules. New Scilex intends to comply with future requirements to the extent they become applicable to New Scilex.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

New Scilex intends to adopt a written code of business conduct and ethics, effective immediately prior to the Closing of the Business Combination, which will apply to New Scilex’s directors, officers and employees, including New Scilex’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Upon the Closing of the Business Combination, a current copy of New Scilex’s code of business conduct and ethics will be posted on its website at www.scilexholding.com. Information contained on or accessible through such website is not a part of this proxy statement/prospectus, and the inclusion of the website address in this proxy statement/prospectus is an inactive textual reference only. New Scilex intends to disclose any amendments to its code of business conduct and ethics, or any waivers of its requirements, on its website to the extent required by the applicable rules and exchange requirements.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the intended members of New Scilex’s compensation committee is currently, or has been at any time in the past year, one of Scilex’s officers or employees. Other than Dr. Ji and Mr. Shah, none of New Scilex’s expected executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last year, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the New Scilex Board or compensation committee. Please see the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Scilex’s Executive Compensation” for information regarding the compensation of Dr. Ji and Mr. Shah.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws, which will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, will contain provisions that limit the liability of New Scilex’s

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directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Consequently, New Scilex’s directors will not be personally liable to New Scilex or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for the following:

•

any breach of their duty of loyalty to New Scilex or its stockholders;

•

acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

•

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions in violation of the DGCL; or

•

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

The Proposed Charter will also provide that if the DGCL is amended to permit further elimination or limitation of the personal liability of directors, then the liability of New Scilex’s directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

The Proposed Bylaws will provide that New Scilex shall indemnify any person who is or was a director or officer of New Scilex or who is or was serving at New Scilex’s request as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust, nonprofit entity or other enterprise (a “Covered Person”), and who is or was a party to, is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved (including as a witness) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative based on such person’s actions in his or her official capacity as a director or officer of New Scilex or as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust, nonprofit entity or other enterprise (to the extent serving in such position at the request of New Scilex), in each case against all liability and loss suffered (including, without limitation, any judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and amounts paid in settlement consented to in writing by New Scilex) and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, subject to certain conditions. In addition, the Proposed Bylaws will provide that New Scilex may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) advance costs, fees or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person defending or participating in any proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding, subject to certain exceptions, and (ii) purchase and maintain insurance, at New Scilex’s expense, to protect New Scilex and any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of New Scilex or is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of New Scilex serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability, expense or loss, whether or not New Scilex would have the power or obligation to indemnify such person against such liability, expense or loss under the DGCL or the provisions of the Proposed Bylaws.

Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, New Scilex expects to enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers as determined by the New Scilex Board. These agreements, among other things, will require New Scilex to indemnify its directors and executive officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service. These indemnification agreements will also require New Scilex to advance all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the directors and executive officers in connection with any proceeding. New Scilex believes that these agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and executive officers. New Scilex will also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

The above description of the indemnification provisions of the Proposed Charter, the Proposed Bylaws and the indemnification agreements is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to these documents, each of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part.

Certain of New Scilex’s non-employee directors may, through their relationships with their employers, be insured or indemnified against certain liabilities incurred in their capacity as members of the New Scilex Board.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding (i) the actual beneficial ownership of Vickers Ordinary Shares as of July 1, 2022 pre-Business Combination and (ii) the expected beneficial ownership of New Scilex Common Stock immediately after the consummation of the Business Combination assuming that no public shares are redeemed, and alternatively in separate scenarios that 5,835,837 and 9,726,395 public shares are redeemed, by:

•

each person or “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) known by Vickers to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of shares of Vickers Ordinary Shares pre-Business Combination

•

each person or “group” known by Vickers who is expected to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of New Scilex Common Stock immediately post-Business Combination;

•

each of Vickers’s current executive officers and directors, and all executive officers and directors of Vickers as a group, in each case pre-Business Combination; and

•

each person who will become an executive officer or director of New Scilex, and all executive officers and directors of New Scilex as a group, in each case pre-Business Combination.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, Vickers believes, based on information available to it, that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Vickers Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by them.

The beneficial ownership of Vickers Ordinary Shares pre-Business Combination is based on 13,176,395 Vickers Ordinary Shares (including 9,726,395 public shares and 3,450,000 founder shares) outstanding as of July 1, 2022.

The beneficial ownership below excludes the shares underlying the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants because those securities are not exercisable within 60 days of this proxy statement/prospectus and are contingent upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The beneficial ownership information below also excludes the shares expected to be issued or reserved under the Equity Incentive Plan and the ESPP, as well as shares underlying unvested stock options.

The expected beneficial ownership of New Scilex Common Stock post-Business Combination set forth below reflects the “no redemptions” scenario, the “interim redemption” scenario and the “maximum redemption” scenario.

•

With respect to the “no redemptions” scenario, the expected beneficial ownership of New Scilex Common Stock post-Business Combination has been determined based on the following assumptions: (i) that none of the Vickers Ordinary Shares are redeemed (no redemptions scenario), (ii) that none of the investors set forth in the table below has purchased or purchases shares of Vickers Ordinary Shares (pre-Business Combination) or New Scilex Common Stock (post-Business Combination), (iii) that 125,714,240 shares of New Scilex Common Stock are issued in the Business Combination (such number of shares being based upon 197,566,338 shares of Scilex Common Stock outstanding as of July 1, 2022 and an exchange ratio of approximately 0.64), and (iv) there will be an aggregate of 138,890,635 shares of New Scilex Common Stock issued and outstanding at Closing.

•

With respect to the “interim redemptions” scenario, the expected beneficial ownership of New Scilex Common Stock post-Business Combination has been determined based on the following assumptions: (i) that holders of 5,835,837 public shares exercise their redemption rights resulting in 3,890,558 public shares remaining outstanding (interim redemption scenario), (ii) that none of the investors set forth in the table below has purchased or purchases shares of Vickers Ordinary Shares (pre-Business Combination) or New Scilex Common Stock (post-Business Combination), (iii) that 125,714,240 shares of New Scilex Common Stock are issued in the Business Combination (such number of shares being based upon 197,566,338 shares of Scilex Common Stock outstanding as of

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July 1, 2022 and an exchange ratio of approximately 0.64), and (iv) there will be an aggregate of 133,054,798 shares of New Scilex Common Stock issued and outstanding at Closing.

•

With respect to the “maximum redemptions” scenario, the expected beneficial ownership of New Scilex Common Stock post-Business Combination has been determined based on the following assumptions: (i) that holders of 9,726,395 public shares exercise their redemption rights resulting in no public shares remaining outstanding (maximum redemption scenario), (ii) that none of the investors set forth in the table below has purchased or purchases shares of Vickers Ordinary Shares (pre-Business Combination) or New Scilex Common Stock (post-Business Combination), (iii) that 125,714,240 shares of New Scilex Common Stock are issued in the Business Combination (such number of shares being based upon 197,566,338 shares of Scilex Common Stock outstanding as of July 1, 2022 and an exchange ratio of approximately 0.64), and (iv) there will be an aggregate of 129,164,240 shares of New Scilex Common Stock issued and outstanding at Closing.

					Post-Business Combination
	Pre-Business Combination				Assuming No Redemption				Assuming Interim Redemption				Assuming Maximum Redemption
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		% of Class		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		% of Class		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		% of Class		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		% of Class
Directors and executive officers of Vickers prior to the Business Combination(1)
Jeffrey Chi		3,375,000(2)		25.6%		3,375,000		2.4%		3,375,000		2.5%		3,375,000		2.6%
Chris Ho		3,375,000(2)		25.6%		3,375,000		2.4%		3,375,000		2.5%		3,375,000		2.6%
Pei Wei Woo		25,000		*		25,000		*		25,000		*		25,000		*
Suneel Kaji		25,000		*		25,000		*		25,000		*		25,000		*
Steve Myint		25,000		*		25,000		*		25,000		*		25,000		*
All directors and executive officers of Vickers prior to the Business Combination as a group (5 individuals)		3,450,000		26.2%		3,450,000		2.5%		3,450,000		2.6%		3,450,000		2.7%
Directors and executive officers of New Scilex after consummation of the Business Combination(3)
Jaisim Shah(4)		—		*		7,198,713		4.9%		7,198,713		5.1%		7,198,713		5.3%
Henry Ji, Ph.D.(5)		—		*		1,639,606		1.2%		1,639,606		1.2%		1,639,606		1.3%
Elizabeth Czerepak(6)		—		*		270,433		*		270,433		*		270,433		*
Suketu D. Desai, Ph.D.(7)		—		*		283,690		*		283,690		*		283,690		*
Suresh K. Khemani(8)		—		*		365,351		*		365,351		*		365,351		*
Dmitri V. Lissin(9)		—		*		290,584		*		290,584		*		290,584		*
Tien-Li Lee, M.D.(10)		—		*		378,806		*		378,806		*		378,806		*
Dorman Followwill		—		*		—		*		—		*		—		*
Laura J. Hamill		—		*		—		*		—		*		—		*
David Lemus		—		*		—		*		—		*		—		*
Tommy Thompson		—		*		—		*		—		*		—		*
All directors and executive officers following the Business Combination as a group (11 individuals)		—		*		10,427,182		7.0%		10,427,182		7.3%		10,427,182		7.5%
Five Percent Holders:

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					Post-Business Combination
	Pre-Business Combination				Assuming No Redemption				Assuming Interim Redemption				Assuming Maximum Redemption
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		% of Class		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		% of Class		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		% of Class		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		% of Class
Vickers Venture Fund VI Pte Ltd.(11)		3,054,499		23.2%		3,054,499		2.2%		3,054,499		2.3%		3,054,499		2.4%
Shaolin Capital Management LLC(12)		1,325,779		10.1%		1,325,779		1.0%		1,325,779		1.0%		1,325,779		1.1%
Hudson Bay Capital Management LP(13)		900,500		6.8%		900,500		*		900,500		*		900,500		*
Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.(14)		—		*		125,487,819		90.4%		125,487,819		94.3%		125,487,819		97.2%

Less than 1%.

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the following individuals is 1 Harbourfront Avenue, #16-06 Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632.

(2)

Represents securities held by Vickers Venture Fund VI Pte Ltd and Vickers Venture Fund VI (Plan) Pte Ltd, the Sponsors. Messrs. Chi and Ho have voting and dispositive power over the shares held by the Sponsors through their positions with the Sponsors.

(3)

Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the following individuals is 4955 Directors Place, San Diego, CA 92121.

(4)

Includes 7,198,713 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2022.

(5)

Includes 1,639,606 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2022.

(6)

Includes 270,433 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2022.

(7)

Includes 283,690 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2022.

(8)

Includes 365,351 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2022.

(9)

Includes 290,584 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2022.

(10)

Includes 378,806 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2022.

(11)

The business address of Vickers Venture Fund Pte Ltd is 1 Harbourfront Avenue, #16-06 Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632. Dr. Jeffrey Chi and Mr. Chris Ho have voting and dispositive power over these shares.

(12)

Based on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2022. The business address of Shaolin Capital Management LLC is 7610 NE 4th Court, Suite 104 Miami FL 33138.

(13)

Based on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 3, 2022. The business address of Hudson Bay Capital Management LP is 28 Havemeyer Place, 2nd Floor, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. Mr. Sander Gerber shares voting and dispositive power over these shares.

(14)

The business address of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. is 4955 Directors Place, San Diego, CA 92121.

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DESCRIPTION OF VICKERS’S SECURITIES

Unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this section, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” or Corp. I prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

General

Pursuant to our Current Charter, our authorized shares consists of 200,000,000 Vickers Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001, and 1,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Vickers Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding. No preference shares are issued or outstanding. The following description summarizes the material terms of our securities. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you. For a complete description you should refer to our Current Charter, the Warrant Agreement, and to the applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law.

Units

Each Unit consists of one Vickers Ordinary Share and one-half of one warrant upon consummation of our initial business combination.

Vickers Ordinary Shares

Our shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. In connection with any vote held to approve our initial business combination, our Sponsors, as well as all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective Vickers Ordinary Shares owned by them immediately prior to the Business Combination and any shares purchased in the Business Combination or following the Business Combination in the open market, including any shares included in Vickers Ordinary Shares acquired in the Business Combination or in the aftermarket, in favor of the Business Combination.

We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon such consummation and, solely if a vote is held to approve a business combination, a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination.

The Vickers Board is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares eligible to vote for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.

Pursuant to our Current Charter, if we do not consummate our initial business combination by January 11, 2023, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and the Vickers Board, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under applicable law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. The Sponsors have agreed to waive their rights to share in any distribution with respect to their founder shares if the company fails to complete a Business Combination by January 11, 2023. On January 6, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an aggregate of $1,035,000 into the Trust Account established in connection with our IPO. The deposit was required to provide us with an additional three months to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to our Current Charter. On April 10, 2022, the Sponsors deposited an additional $1,035,000 into the Trust Account. The April 2022 Deposit was also required to provide us with an additional three months to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to our Current Charter. On June 30, 2022, Vickers’s shareholders approved the Extension Amendment to its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the deadline by which it must complete an initial business combination from July 11, 2022 to January 11, 2023. Any such extension is to be made on a monthly basis and is

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conditioned on the deposit into the Trust Account of a payment equal to $0.0333 per public share outstanding. In connection with the shareholder vote on the Extension Amendment, Vickers was required to provide its shareholders with the right to redeem their public shares. Holders of 4,073,605 public shares elected to redeem their shares at a per share redemption price of $10.25 thereby reducing the amount in the Trust Account by an aggregate of approximately $41.8 million. The January 2022 and April 2022 Deposits were made in the form of non-interest bearing loans equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a Business Combination unless there are funds available outside the Trust Account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial Business Combination, or, at the relevant insider’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our Business Combination into Working Capital Warrants at a price of $0.75 per Working Capital Warrant, which Working Capital Warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants issued simultaneously with the IPO. If Vickers does not complete a business combination, it will repay such amounts only from funds held outside of the Trust Account. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the Trust Account to extend the time for us to complete our initial Business Combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial Business Combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required.

Our shareholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the Vickers Ordinary Shares, except that public shareholders have the right to sell their shares to us in any tender offer or have their Vickers Ordinary Shares converted to cash equal to their pro rata share of the Trust Account if they vote on the proposed business combination and the Business Combination is completed. If we hold a shareholder vote to amend any provisions of our Current Charter relating to shareholder’s rights or pre-business combination activity (including the substance or timing within which we have to complete a Business Combination), we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Vickers Ordinary Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, in connection with any such vote. In either of such events, converting stockholders would be paid their pro rata portion of the Trust Account promptly following consummation of the Business Combination or the approval of the Proposed Charter. If the Business Combination is not consummated or the Proposed Charter is not approved, shareholders will not be paid such amounts.

Preference Shares

There are no preference shares outstanding. Our Current Charter as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 preference shares with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Vickers Board. Accordingly, the Vickers Board is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue preference shares with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares. However, the underwriting agreement prohibits us, prior to a Business Combination, from issuing preference shares which participates in any manner in the proceeds of the Trust Account, or which votes as a class with the common stock on a Business Combination. We may issue some or all of the preference shares to effect a Business Combination. In addition, the preference shares could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Although we do not currently intend to issue any preference shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.

Warrants

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, 6,840,000 Warrants are outstanding. Each whole Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one Vickers Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the completion of an initial Business Combination. However, no Warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective

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and current registration statement covering the Vickers Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and a current prospectus relating to such Vickers Ordinary Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the Vickers Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the public Warrants is not effective within 90 days following the consummation of our initial Business Combination, warrantholders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise Warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Warrants for that number of Vickers Ordinary Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Vickers Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the Warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose will mean the average reported last sale price of the Vickers Ordinary Shares for the 5 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of exercise. The Warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of our completion of an initial Business Combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

The Private Placement Warrants, as well as any Warrants underlying additional Units we issue to our Sponsors, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of Working Capital Loans made to us, will be identical to the Warrants underlying the public Units except that such Warrants are exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and will not be redeemable by us, in each case so long as they are still held by our Sponsors or its permitted transferees.

We may call the Warrants for redemption (excluding the Private Placement Warrants and any Warrants underlying additional Units issued to our Sponsors, Initial Shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of Working Capital Loans made to us), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Warrant,

•

at any time after the Warrants become exercisable,

•

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrantholder,

•

if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the New Scilex Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period commencing after the Warrants become exercisable and ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrantholders; and

•

if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the Vickers Ordinary Shares underlying such Warrants.

The right to exercise will be forfeited unless the Warrants are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a Warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s Warrant upon surrender of such Warrant.

The redemption criteria for our Warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the Warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the Warrants.

If we call the Warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Warrants for that number of Vickers Ordinary Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Vickers Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the Warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Vickers Ordinary Shares for the 5 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of Warrants.

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The Warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval, by written consent or vote, of the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public Warrants, including Warrants included in the Public Units, in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.

The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the Warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of Vickers Ordinary Shares at a price below their respective exercise prices.

In addition, if (x) we issue additional Vickers Ordinary Shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Vickers Board, and in the case of any such issuance to our Sponsors, Initial Shareholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by them prior to such issuance), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the Market Value is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the Warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the greater of (i) the Market Value or (ii) the price at which we issue the additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities, and the $18.00 redemption trigger price will be adjusted to 180% of this amount.

The Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of Warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of Vickers Ordinary Shares and any voting rights until they exercise their Warrants and receive Vickers Ordinary Shares. After the issuance of Vickers Ordinary Shares upon exercise of the Warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Warrantholders may elect to be subject to a restriction on the exercise of their Warrants such that an electing warrantholder would not be able to exercise their Warrants to the extent that, after giving effect to such exercise, such holder would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% of the Vickers Ordinary Shares outstanding.

No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Warrants. If, upon exercise of the Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest whole number the number of Vickers Ordinary Shares to be issued to the warrantholder.

Subject to applicable law, any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction will be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. This provision applies to claims under the Securities Act but does not apply to claims under the Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on Vickers Ordinary Shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of a Business Combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a Business Combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to a Business Combination will be within the discretion of the New Scilex Board at such time. In addition, the New Scilex Board is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock

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dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the Business Combination pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a stock dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination in such amount as to maintain the number of insider shares at 20.0% of our issued and outstanding Vickers Ordinary Shares upon the consummation of the Business Combination (assuming our insiders do not purchase units in the Business Combination). Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent

The transfer agent for our securities and warrant agent for our Warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 1 State Street, New York, New York 10004.

Listing of Our Securities

Special Meeting of Shareholders

Our Current Charter provides that extraordinary general meetings (referred to as special meetings) of our shareholders may be called only by resolution of the Vickers Board, or by the Chairman.

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations

Our Current Charter provide that shareholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of shareholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice will need to be delivered to our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 60th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the scheduled date of the annual meeting of shareholders. In the event that less than 70 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting of shareholders is given, a shareholder’s notice shall be timely if delivered to our principal executive offices not later than the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of our annual meeting of shareholders is first made or sent by us. Our Current Charter also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a shareholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our shareholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of shareholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of shareholders.

Authorized but Unissued Shares

Our authorized but unissued Vickers Ordinary Shares and preference shares are available for future issuances without shareholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved Vickers Ordinary Shares and preference shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

	PAGE
Preferred Stock		337
Registration Rights		337
Anti-Takeover Matters in New Scilex’s Governing Documents and Under Delaware Law		337
Conflicts of Interest		342
Rights of Appraisal and Payment		342
Stockholders’ Derivative Actions		343
Warrants		343
Transfer Agent and Registrar		346
Listing		346
SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE		347
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies		347
Rule 701		348
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS		349
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS		362
Certain Transactions of Vickers		362
Certain Transactions of Scilex		364
LEGAL MATTERS		371
EXPERTS		371
APPRAISAL RIGHTS		371
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS		371
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR		372
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS		372
FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS		372
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS		372
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		373
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		F-1

	ANNEX A – MERGER AGREEMENT					A-1
	ANNEX B – PROPOSED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION					B-1
	ANNEX C – PROPOSED BYLAWS					C-1
	ANNEX D – SCILEX HOLDING COMPANY 2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN					D-1
	ANNEX E – SCILEX HOLDING COMPANY 2022 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN					E-1
	ANNEX F – SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT					F-1
	ANNEX G – COMPANY STOCKHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT					G-1
	ANNEX H – REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT					H-1

	PAGE
Recommendation of the Vickers Board		175
PROPOSAL 9 – THE NASDAQ PROPOSAL		177
Overview		177
Vote Required for Approval		177
Resolution to be Voted Upon		177
Recommendation of the Vickers Board		177
PROPOSAL 10 – THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL		179
Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved		179
Vote Required for Approval		179
Resolution to be Voted Upon		179
Recommendation of the Vickers Board		179
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES		181
U.S. Holders		182
Non-U.S. Holders		189
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF VICKERS		193
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF SCILEX		194
SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION		196
TRADING MARKET AND DIVIDENDS		198
Vickers		198
Scilex		198
BUSINESS OF VICKERS		199
Overview		199
Trust Account		199
Business Combination Activities		199
Redemption Rights		199
Automatic Dissolution and Subsequent Liquidation of Trust Account if No Business Combination		200
Facilities		201
Employees		201
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF VICKERS		202
Overview		202
Results of Operations		202
Liquidity and Capital Resources		203
Going Concern		204
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements		204
Contractual Obligations		204
Critical Accounting Policies		205
BUSINESS OF SCILEX		207
Our Company		207
Our Marketed Product and Pipeline		208
Our Strategy		208

	December 31,						As of March 31,
(in thousands)	2021			2020			2022
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	4,338		$	4,839		$	33,567
Total assets			77,932			81,504			109,965
Long-term debt, net of discount			72,037			92,255			76,802
Total stockholders’ deficit			(223,876)			(141,683)			(231,568)
Accumulated deficit			(352,550)			(264,126)			(361,693)
Net negative working capital(1)			(146,417)			(56,056)			(120,940)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
	No Redemption Scenario			Interim Redemption Scenario			Maximum Redemption Scenario
Pro forma net loss		$	(9,631)		$	(9,631)		$	(9,631)
Pro forma weighted average shares of common stock outstanding – basic and diluted			138,890,635			133,054,798			129,164,240
Pro forma net loss per share – basic and diluted		$	(0.07)		$	(0.07)		$	(0.07)

	Salary			Target Bonus		Stock Options
Henry Ji		$	792,000		70%		9,000,000
Jaisim Shah		$	792,000		70%		1,700,000
Dmitri Lissin		$	480,000		40%		350,000
Suresh Khemani		$	450,000		40%		350,000
Suketu Desai		$	415,000		40%		350,000