They do it all the time. The Biotech conferences is one way to showcase products. Leo has said he had multiple responses from the SF Biotech conference at the beginning of the year for example. It's a way for BP to investigate companies that have a solutions for issues the BP hasn't had a chance to initiate on their own. Why not? If a drug is market near ready, why not? Saves millions and years of research tackling it on their own. Happens all over the world in every occupation. It's the reason we have so many laws prohibiting companies from stealing intellectual property.