I suspect you are right, however they also may not want to piecemeal it out in licences over long extended time. They may want to hand it off for a big payday. However there has to be some trigger that shows the true value of the IP before that day comes around. I can see all the good science this IP can provide, but can it be turned in to big business? I think that is the company's objective of the CRC work.
JMHO