"Scary why do you think POET issued this news? Why didn't they just arrange for an updated valuation and say nothing."

There could be many responses to that question I believe. Being most positive it could be issued as a ways of stating a means to an end (eventual buyout or signal that one is in the works). Being most negative, no new milestones have yet to be achieved and nothing significant is happening behind the scenes (hence let's try to provide some form of additional excitement to current/potential investors).

Alternately, knowing that they may need additional financing around that time, this could provide a significantly higher valuation for the company and help boost the stock price (free-float) at that given moment while having documentation to show potential investors of a new PP what the company could be worth.

just my two cents.

Sandman