It doesn't have to be an existential threat. As long as the lobbying is cheaper than the possible legal costs, it will look reasonable to lobby for rules.

The legal issues can sink their entire business model, not quite the cost of doing business.

A lot of things could sink their business model including opening the can of worms of the wrong regulations.

After all the claims of "the product we are developing could cause the extinction of humanity" I'm honestly surprised Florida is the only place so far to seek an injunction preventing further development of the product.

It's really hard to take these companies seriously or at face value about anything they say.