I don't know why this comes as any surprise. Dr. Menon is not a young man, and he had already been cut to half time. That sure looked like a phased retirement. One of his great contributions was recognizing that Brilacidin was a viable drug and that PolyMedix had erred in giving massive doses (thus causing side effects) when much smaller doses, with no side effects, were efficacious.

He's in his mid-70's. Very few people at this age continue working full time. Seems to me that his major work is done, and brilliantly, and there is no need for the company to continue paying him when the focus is now on continuing development of the 3 drugs, not lab work for new drugs.

It seemed clear when Dr. Bertolino was brought on board that this day was coming, and planned.