AIkido Pharma Announces Strategic Investment in Social Communications Platform Provider Discord, Inc.

Rhea-AI Summary

AIkido Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: AIKI) announced an early equity interest in Discord, Inc., a popular social communications platform valued at approximately $15 billion. This investment aligns with AIkido's strategy to enhance liquidity and monetization opportunities for shareholders. Notably, Discord has been exploring a public offering, with prior interest from major firms like Microsoft, which proposed $12 billion for the company. AIkido's CEO, Anthony Hayes, expressed optimism regarding this investment's potential benefits.

Positive

• AIkido has secured an equity interest in Discord, potentially enhancing shareholder value.
• Discord's valuation is approximately $15 billion, indicating strong market interest.
• Potential near-term IPO for Discord could provide liquidity events for AIkido shareholders.

Negative

• None.

Discord Reportedly Interviewing Investment Bankers About Going Public This Year

NEW YORK, May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AIkido Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: AIKI) ("AIkido" or the "Company") today announced that the Company has secured an early equity interest in privately-held Discord, Inc. (https://discord.com/), a social communications platform provider that is particularly popular with gamers.

Bloomberg Technology reported on March 14, 2022, that Discord "is interviewing bankers about going public as soon as this year."  (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-15/discord-is-said-to-interview-banks-for-possible-direct-listing).  According to the Bloomberg report, "Discord, last valued by private investors at about $15 billion, is especially popular with gamers and young people. Its success caught the attention of potential suitors, including Microsoft Corp., which was rebuffed after offering $12 billion for it last year." According to The Straits Times, Discord has also held discussions with Epic Games and Amazon.com in the past. (https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/tech-news/video-game-chat-app-discord-ends-takeover-talks-with-microsoft). 

Anthony Hayes, CEO of AIkido, stated, "This investment fits well into our strategy to maximize opportunity for liquidity and monetization events for our shareholders. We believe the offer by Microsoft to buy the company bodes well for this investment, as does a potential near-term IPO."

About AIkido Pharma Inc.

AIkido Pharma Inc. was initially formed in 1967 and is a biotechnology Company with a diverse portfolio of small-molecule anticancer and antiviral therapeutics. The Company's platform consists of patented technology from leading universities and researchers, and we are currently in the process of developing an innovative therapeutic drug platform through strong partnerships with world renowned educational institutions, including The University of Texas at Austin and University of Maryland at Baltimore. Our diverse pipeline of therapeutics includes therapies for pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer. We are constantly seeking to grow our pipeline to treat unmet medical needs in oncology. The Company is also developing a broad-spectrum antiviral platform that may potentially inhibit replication of multiple viruses including Influenza virus, SARS-CoV (coronavirus), MERS-CoV, Ebolavirus and Marburg virus.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact:

Investor Relations: 

Hayden IR 
Brett Maas, Managing Partner 
Phone: (646) 536-7331 
Email: brett@haydenir.com 
www.haydenir.com

AIkido Pharma Inc. 
Phone: 212-745-1373 
Email: investorrelations@aikidopharma.com 
www.aikidopharma.com

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SOURCE AIkido Pharma Inc.

FAQ

What investment did AIkido Pharma announce on May 4, 2022?

AIkido Pharma announced an early equity interest in Discord, Inc.

What is Discord's current valuation?

Discord is valued at approximately $15 billion.

What potential public offering news was reported for Discord?

Discord is interviewing bankers about going public, potentially this year.

What was Microsoft's offer for Discord?

Microsoft previously offered $12 billion to acquire Discord.