NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[beartrap12]

I hope you're correct, Slave! I've also added what Georgebailey suggested below, which is along the same line as yours!

Slave wrote:

So the interpretation that makes the most legal and strategic sense is this. Merck is either conducting these trials under academic safe harbor protections or is laying the groundwork for a potential partnership. They are not acting independently to compete. NWBO holds the legal IP position and it has already made clear that it controls the platform under license. That positions NWBO as the gatekeeper for any future commercial development that emerges from these studies.

In other words, it is not about Merck getting ahead of NWBO. It is more likely about Merck staying close enough to be ready if NWBO’s platform moves forward. Based on everything we know, NWBO has the leverage.

Georgebailey suggested something similar:

Good thinking Beartrap. Im trying to suppress my bias but based on the acquisition strategy by Merck , and the absence of public info on any relationship b/w Merck/ Mayo it seems that Merck is building treatment layers on top of NWBO's platform. So I'm not sure we are looking at Partnership with Merck but a licensing relationship with Merck.