I really do not think that the company are worried or even concerned about the impact of an RNS or Non-RNS will have on the short term SP, their objective is medium term gain leading to long term stability. They can only achieve this by good financial data which would show that the company is on track to ever increasing profitability.
The company is dependant upon pill swallowing but the market relates to number crunching especially on the positive side.
If an announcement of progress was promised before the years end then they must make it, even if it simply states that the company is on track to meet its financial objectives, a meaningless statement perhaps but it would fulfill their obligation to say something.