This occurred to me last night. The BTD designation on the stock options was key. I don't think there is necessarily anything on the table yet, but I'm wondering if this was a power play because even though Dr. Pestell liquidated some of his holdings was he not still a majority owner of CYDY? With a possible buyout looming I think the BOD and NP may want the majority say so they made sure that was possible.
It could be a greed thing, but my guess is since the options exercise was based on BTD which could be in the next 2 months...this was to give controlling majority to NP and the BOD for saying yay or nay to any bid.