Yes they're cancelled, but that requires purchasing them in...

Yes they're cancelled, but that requires purchasing them in the first place. This a transaction by the company or by someone on behalf of them that is prohibited during a blackout period, like the one we have been in since the end of June, and similar to those we would have been in when they released announcements such as those in relation to the DNA repair results. Just because the shares are cancelled doesn't mean insider trading is still incentivised (ie if they know a bullish announcement is about to arrive, they would back up the truck at lower prices and get more shares for the same total cost to the company, which is unfair to other market participants).

There shouldn't be any reason for them not to go hard after the results are released though and max out the BB. The total expenditure is so small compared to their cash position, so the focus should be on giving the price a real good pump to burn those pesky shorters, rather than getting the best possible price.