stoneroad - great question and I would even go further (in time and impact);
My personal experience in this space says the collaboration started at minimum many months (say 9) to 15+ months prior to the announcement. This includes courtship, tire kicking, first dance at prom, etc.
But those early weeks and months were very critical. MSK studies what is brought in front of them, and does some quick assessments of its own - primarily for various sources and types of evidence that there is something there.
Prior to going 'public', there were also several months of bonafide and detailed research and collaboration planning. Notice Peregrine started to provide much more sophisticated tidbits of information and interpretive assessments, and even big claims... very early in 2015. Possibly even late into 2014.
Peregrine did not have, at the time, the understanding and practical experience (usable, appliable) in a way that is commensurate with their language change and claims. They got help, and likely from various sources.
One of them is very likely (definite in my mind) MSK. They work on the front line of Oncology for a very long time, and have, in some cases, written the book on types of research, methodology, terminology and more - and have been developing that with the likes of BMY, MRK, ROCHE, etc.
This is what an institution like MSK does. They are at the forefront of research, from basic to applied to clinical. They stop short of commercialization but certainly are involved in educating/consulting on market assessment and logistics, as well as patient adoption, etc. They run clinics where patients get treated, all the way to performing basic research in vitro/vivo to figure out scientific processes. It's an excellent partner to have!
So, in a very lengthy answer to your question, I believe working with MSK brought Peregrine to the forefront of knowledge on Oncology, and awareness of much more of the intricacies related to the landscape than they would otherwise naturally progress to acquire.
Finally, and for perspective, think of the position they have taken in 'lecturing' the big behemoths of the industry, the expert companies with decades of oncology experience, of the proper approach to combo therapy. I search long and wide for other $250M companies that are putting forth such claims, or pushing messages that are not expected from such small players. Most just get gobbled up or partnered/bought out for small change plus some milestone fees. One never really hears much from them prior to and after the transaction. It seems to me that the 'mentorship' Peregrine received, by MSK and possibly others, has put them in a different place relative to confidence and positioning.
I don't know that for a fact. It just comes across that way to me.
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