My take....DesRoches and Neil Hanak were optical experts. NexOptic has developed the optics and are now into production. This tells me that the optics work is done. Now, it is simply a case of suiting the optics to meet the use. DesRoches linkedin page indicated that he departed upon the company "changing direction".
The Daugela Brothers were also optics-focussed. One was the project manager, the other the inventor. The project is in other hands and now it is a matter of modifying the tech to suit the use.
I suspect the Daugela Brothers simply left the company in competent hands for the next phase of development. They've gone back to their lives, whilst retaining a 30% ownership of the outstanding shares of the company. There is no indication of their selling as of late.
Let's face it. The company has developed the optics and is now manufacturing. They've developed the phone lens and have created the ALLIS division to advance this groundbreaking technology. They've reduced their optics engineers and ADDED AI people.
A simple redirection based on where the company is currently at. All good.
Don't buy the fear. This is how the corporate world works. It is all good.