Ok let's look at this from a legal perspective. Paying careful attention to the detail of the wording. Again that's how lawyers like to play.
Quote;
"But with the prospect of large trials looming down the road, the company also is assessing the interest of big pharmas, and many have signed nondisclosure agreements.
Notice first the word assessing which means basically to estimate. Then the comma after Big Pharmas which in return does not tie the word "many" with BP. "Many" can be anybody now which is explained in the following:
We’ve been approached by a number of people who want to get involved,” Waggoner said. “They’ve recognized that our treatment is very different from any approach that’s out there.”
Now if Big Pharmas had signed don't we think he would have worded it differently? Example:
But with the prospect of large trials looming down the road, the company has also BECAME the interest of big pharmasIN WHICH many have signed nondisclosure agreements.
Nope, instead what this statement is really saying.
the company is also guessing in the interest of Big Pharmas.
Could I be wrong and KW just be terrible at grammar? Sure but I think KW is smarter than that.