Traditionally BP does not buy out until the drugs are further advanced in the pipeline.
But, any Pharma large enough can make an offer of a low initial payment followed by additional payments for any future achievements.
A $3 billion buy out with provisions for future payments if additional achievement points are reached is a sound approach to RSPI partnering, or selling.
Why? RSPI is an anomoly.
It is so different from any other occurance...that a special contract differing from past and standard contracts is worth formulating and offering.
5 drugs for the initial payment of the apparent slam dunk of the SCI drug is fairly $3billion?
Then make the deal to keep Lippa onas medical scientist/researcher.
IF the other 4 fail completely and only the SCI drug pans out ...BP only pays for what they get up front and nothing for what they don't get later on.
Sounds like Lippa would enjoy a long vacation but want the option or duty to return in the future.
Proly would embrace working with others insteaD of alone after nursing the drugs to where they are?
Convention BP behavior with, and only with, RSPI at thus point seems too cautious as the risk reward to locking in all 5 drugs for the price of the SCI drug just nrings to all concerned a fair payoff for what is now and can be in the future.
Unconventional slam dunk to the 1st BP offering $3 billion initial payment for the whole enchilada.
Glta