Wasn't it essentially just a watered down Stellaris? It's been years since I've played the Stellaris Star Trek mod but I have no doubt it was done better there.

Add in the fact that they're likely paying a decent-sized license fee for the use of the IP I feel like the writing was on the wall for this one. If it wasn't a breakout hit out the gate, its destiny was sealed. After all, PDX is a public company these days and have shareholders to appease - their developers are better used pumping out more mediocre DLC for the games that actually sell. (I say this as someone who buys every Stellaris DLC within a few months of release...)