The problem may be that the really smart science-savvy pharma/biotech CEOs are mostly in start-ups, people who embrace new ideas and technologies (like epigenetics) and go after them. BP CEOs tend to be more conservative in my experience. They have the cash but not so much of the vision or risk-taking outlook. They don’t understand epigenetics and so it makes them nervous. Consequently it takes time (too much of it) to reach a decision.

Nevertheless, my guts tell me RVX will find a buyer. My concern is that the RVX cash situation will encourage BP to push the price down, and Don responding by digging his toes in and trying to go it alone for a few more years on an shoestring budget, leading to more underpowered studies like BETonMACE, ann no progress at all in other areas like HIV.