"I think that is the message from the FDA, whether it is in writing or not."
I think you give the FDA a lot of credit...more than they deserve. It's hard to believe they'd be so in front on this issue - It would be a first! RD came out of nowhere and I'd bet the FDA doesn't have a clue about it as an indication.
Stoll might have used it as a bargaining chip to keep his shareholders in the game (for whatever reason) but the real objection to the IND remains a mystery, and now even more of one. No letter means anything goes in this game. Stoll was not truthful about "waiitng for the letter".