I assume ENTA won't announce a partnership deal for EDP-235 before phase II is completed…
I expect ENTA to seek an FDA buy-in to run a pivotal phase-2/3 trial, instead of a straight phase-2. The FDA may not concur with such a plan, but they would (IMO) be derelict in not doing so, given the potential utility of EDP-235 in mitigating the pandemic.
If ENTA does get an FDA buy-in to run a pivotal phase-2/3, then a partnership deal up-front becomes considerably more likely, IMO.