Since this is YC, it's worth looking at this from the perspective of a failed startup that made several mistakes. In particular, the authors take the view that

Since this is YC, it's worth looking at this from the perspective of a failed startup that made several mistakes. In particular, the authors take the view that Pfizer killed their startup. But buried on page 333 is the real reason. And if you're going to start something, this is worth learning from. The founders gave up their ability to control their company when they agreed to become a wholly owned subsidiary from day 1. There was no need for that. And no one would ever tell you to do this today. This was done to be nice and collegial, something that broke down the moment money was involved. The company they created this fatal alliance with had other priorities, their own drug development pipeline. Then they got investors who were profiting from the status quo, and for whom a new drug didn't look great. But the real reason is that the founders half-assed it. None of them left their academic jobs. They didn't have any skin in the game. Oh well, they walked away with a little money. Had the founders done what YC tells you to do, commit, this never would have happened. (bottom of page 333) The whole article blames Pfizer and others for the failure of the startup. But it's really this last point that was the determining factor. The authors say there were confused by the buyout and just took it to move on. There would have been no confusion and no buyout if they were committed to the startup. Even if you have the right idea, even if you are the right person in the right place, even if you're about to break through and change the world, you can fail if you don't commit.