Now, the word outstanding in this sentence bugs me. When I first read it, I assumed it meant that the those assays were not in yet...but could they be meaning that the results are outstanding-meaning very good??

This could be interpreted both ways and they have 2 very different meanings. Maybe I am just too excited and I am seeing things but will be checking with JJ on Monday for her interpretation of "outstanding".

I interpret it as the assay results are yet to be recieved. While it would be nice to think they are giving us a hint, I don't believe that is the intent. And I am sure that is the answer you will get from JJ. I know what I WANT it to mean and who knows, maybe they are throwing us a bone and giving us a hint, but you won't hear that from her.