DATANA 2025 in review
2025 was a year of delivery. We strengthened our position in defence, advanced research with European partners, secured core IP, and prepared a payload of DNA-encoded messages for orbit.
Technology and IP
Our first EPO patent was granted: “A Device and a Method for Recording Data in Nucleic Acids.” Protection across geographies is in progress, with further filings pending. This supports our path to commercial readiness and secures our freedom to operate.
Defence engagement through NATO DIANA
We completed Phase 1 of NATO DIANA as the first Slovenian company in the program. The year included a kickoff at Brainport Eindhoven, Defence and Security Days in Krakow, and a Brussels program with a visit to Thales Belgium, meetings at NATO HQ and the Belgian Permanent Representation, and a pitch at Defence Tech Day.
We closed Phase 1 at the Industry and Investors Demo Day in London and began follow-ups with ministries, primes, and investors. With the Slovenian MoD, we secured letters of support and commitment and set the next steps through the InnoMatch project.
From data to DNA to orbit
In March, we signed an MoU with OculloSpace. We have now encoded the first set of customer messages on the DATANA platform. Launch is fixed for 13 February 2026 on the SpaceX Transporter 16 dedicated rideshare mission using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. Our countdown page is live for those who want to follow the timeline.
Group photo from the 5th General Assembly of PEARL-DNA
Events, community, and grants
With the PEARL-DNA consortium, we held the 5th General Assembly in Bordeaux, concluded year two, aligned the final-year plan, and visited Imagene’s facilities.
We shared the SNIA DNA Data Storage Alliance Technology Review v1.0 and contributed to biosecurity policy work tailored to DNA data storage.
We joined the EIC DigNA Portfolio Meeting in Prague, spoke on a panel with Western Digital, Biomemory, and ETH Zürich, and met partners at the Storage and Computing with DNA conference in Paris and at DBDS 2025 in Prague.
At SIDEC 2025 in Celje we hosted a booth, met with DG DEFIS, NATO DIANA, and the EDA, and our CEO presented on secure digitalisation and DNA data storage for defence.
Market presence
We refreshed our website to better serve early commercial use cases. The site explains how DNA data storage works, highlights real-world applications, and provides a quote path with initial pricing.
Thank you to our partners, customers, investors, and colleagues who moved these initiatives forward. We are entering 2026 with clear deliverables, strong collaborations, and a focus on execution.
