The preliminary tox tests are DEAD STANDARD for drugs with very low toxicity. The necessity to do preliminary tox tests because of very low toxicity is ALWAYS a very positive sign although investors who don't understand the full implications of very low toxicity may mispercieve it as "just another delay" (or others may foster the missimpression to suit their agendas).
The idea that NNVC is just doing this as an excuse for delay is totally wrong. AS IS the notion that the delay in equipment is just an excuse for delay. Such back orders for new biotech equipment are dead standard in biotechnology because of the extreme difficulty of predicting the demand for equipment (biotechs don't "telegraph" what they are working on, planning on doing or how they are planning to do it). Maufacturers have to estimate demand and they tend to the low side because equipment can become obsolete and largely valueless very quickly. (because of the value of time in cutting edge research, a sequencer, for example, that takes 10 X as long as the latest model is not going to be sold).
EVERY company must go thru ALL of the steps. If you object to "too many baby steps" what you are really objecting to is the company keeping you well informed about progress.
If the number of steps required frustrates you, just don't read the daily new and check in every six months or so. If it's because you just can't wait that long for the money buy a lottery ticket. Your chances will be much worse but you will find out a lot sooner and not have to endure any waiting.