If they have the data, they can provide the data to any private party as long as it is not released to the public. I think you are right that partnership can occur with Merck before ASCO.
money I'd have to believe Merck (or whomever the partner is) is privy to the data and has signed a confidentiality agreement. I can't imagine them having to wait until ASCO to release the data and only then finalizing the partnership, which could take several more months.
We have to remember that they obviously had this data available several months ago and delayed release until ASCO. If that would have delayed a partnership by 6 months or so it would have made no sense for them to submit that data to ASCO and hold off on negotiating a partnership. I mean that'd could have cost them a year and a ton of cash. In other words, the effect of a partnership is much greater than the splash at ASCO in my opinion, and surely management would agree.
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
AI
