History doesn't always repeat itself. Al wants to help small investors any way he can and he is by far more investor friendly than other CEOs. However, the nature of the game is that Al can afford to keep diluting the company without diluting himselves and he is motivated to keep the company going without selling out to a partner.

Small investors like us may favor a partner at this stage since we would be happy to gain a little after suffering this long.

Al on the other hand, want the ultimate prize. He is in too deep to sell the company to big pharma for a small return or no return.