I agree that partnering may limit our options. But what is the alternative?
It is well known that Pfizer had been eying a purchase of Amarin back in 2019, and they are now partnered in Canada. So they know the product and clearly like it.
So the question then becomes, why aren't they biting NOW? My personal belief is that they are trying to paint Amarin into a corner, hoping we will tap out and beg for a buyout when our options are limited. So they are basically just waiting this out.
I assume a selling agreement would come with some sort of handcuffs on a future deal.
This is really not an easy decision for management/BOD. Making a deal right now would probably mean roughly $6-7 if I were to guess (big bump on the news brings it to $3~ish+, then a 100%~ish premium brings it to $6-7).
But we all know there is a lot more value embedded in Vascepa than just selling Vascepa straight-up. BP wins big at that price. And I'm not so sure the BOD would be OK with a $7 BO. Hell, that valuation could be 1X peak revenues ($2-3B). Just not enough.
What we need is BO rumors to start swirling to get the SP up.