Dr. Missling was explicit at the annual meeting that they might enter into any one of many different commercial constructs with other companies - anywhere from doing nothing to selling completely, depending on what is best for shareholders.
Nothing like putting on a serious game face as a negotiating posture. My bet is that a future partnership with BP will be the ultimate outcome if the data so justifies. It is the right move assuming Missling doesn't have to give away the farm. Unfortunately, it all seems premature at this point without affirmative regulatory action that points the way toward potential drug approval.
In the future I will change from calling Chris TGD to TGQ (The Good Quack).....since all we hear from him is quack, quack, quack....Maybe his expiring options will turn our fortunes around, if he comes up with the cost and taxes and buys the shares outright.