Hmmm now why would Novartis go that route when ACTC are looking to completely kill the treatment market (what little there is)? Maybe things aren't as rosy as we hoped?
Here's another thought; big pharmas (prospective JV partners) do NOT like cures. Ongoing treatments, yes, and the more expensive and longer the treatment is required for over time, the better - that's income - but a treatment that halts the ailment and possibly reverses it permanently? - that's bad business for big pharma.
Maybe nobody wants to partner with ACTC because they'd be shooting themselves in the foot in the long term?
Conversely, big pharma buying ACTC and then burying the technology is also a way of protecting their income.
Putting all the big pharma selfish greed aside, if ACTC can get this all the way to commercialization, $3 billion would be a bargain for the relatively short-term income generated.
