I disagree. The university lab project would be initiated by one scientist who is an expert on these kinds of drugs and diseases. S/he would have become aware of Brilacidin and decided to study it. This is someone who is his/her own boss and is calling the shots on what is to be studied.
A successful test would give this person a reputation and potentially a career boost (for instance, if it's someone who doesn't have tenure and can use this to support their case for tenure).

The government lab is going to involve people who have supervisors and they will probably move more slowly because of bureaucracy.