M118 may be a long shot. Sounds like some of our finer posters are discounting that possibility. They know more than I do.
On an FoB: Seems to me that it would have to be a big company that was willing to consider buying out MNTA. Otherwise they run the risk of having to deal with NVS should it decide the P/S or royalty was so costly that they might as well own MNTA to avoid future payments.
Of course, that would be good for the stockholders since it builds in another potential buyer of MNTA. I have long wished they could get a second partner. Then the savings to NVS of buying MNTA, confers a similar benefit to the other company partnering with MNTA. Anything that promotes a second suitor would be good for us.
The shorting does bother me. But if they get it wrong, it will add lift to the stock.