GP ... not sure patents are awarded that quickly, but "patent pending" with the likelihood of acceptance could be valuable as well. If you have a strong SGLT2 drug in the market, in a very competitive "business/clinical" environment, with more SGLT's on the way, and an expiring patent on YOUR SGLT2 looming in the next 5-10 years ... then as the BP patent holder (post-"deal"), with or without significant additional benefit with apabetalone, you may get additional patent/pricing protection thru 2040 for that drug (when combined with 208).

We all believe from BoM that the synergy between 208 and SGLT2's is going to be substantial and a potentially a big differentiator competitively for a certain partnering SGLT2 company ... and additionally provide additional patent life (revenues) for that SGLT2 company.

A move by a BP on RVX could be both market "defensive" (SGLT2 patent life) for revenue preservation, as well as market "offensive" for market share growth based on whatever clinical merits of 208 in combination advance the SGLT2 share toward better positioning and dominance. 

In the bigger picture strategically ... A BP purchase of RVX could pay for itself simply (and potentially) in market revenues preservation over an extended patent protected period of time in other words ... before even looking at revenues growth potential, and potentially whatever additional benefits that dominating the early epigenetics landscape may bring. If that makes sense? 

The 208/SGLT2 patent status "could" be as big of a strategic valuation milestone competitively, as some of the other critical clinical milestones?

Just some "rambling" thoughts and imho's

glta