Unless an R/S works into the deal. Typically a partnership would give the partnering company first right of refusal in the event a MA should occur. In this instance, a partner to Titan would be fronting cash for continued development, so there is little chance theyd ever relinquish that right - they want a return on investment. The company would most likely want to reduce dilution as much as possible if the companies were to become one entity. So an RS and/or a stock transfer favorable to the acquirer's OS would most likely occur.