Based on the price action Friday and this morning, there was likely a leak re the news, and POET made the decision to halt and release the news, likely earlier than they had planned. Unless they wanted the dramatic effect of the halt during trading, they likely would have released the news pre-market. I rather like the drama, though!

You don't really want too crazy price action prior to releasing great news, lest authorities feel they need to take a look at how the news got leaked.