Chapter 228 - 130: Idea
However, when used on pig stem cells, the required dosage was only 0.0024 milligrams per kilogram of body weight—roughly one-fourteenth of the toxic dose.
The other drugs used in the combination therapy were much the same; there was significant room for adjustment far below their toxic doses.
Furthermore, during her research, He Youwei discovered that the relationship between a given gene target and the drugs, elements, vitamins, or nutrients that could act upon it was often not a simple one-to-one correspondence. Instead, multiple components could affect the same target.
This presented another advantage: they could select components with relatively minor side effects, thus reducing the drug’s overall toxicity to the body.
The reason other research institutions hadn’t discovered that these components could be used for gene-targeted therapy was mainly because some of them showed no significant effect when used alone. They had to be used in combination.
This required an in-depth study of Jiang Miao’s system of genetic principles, as well as an understanding of various functional genomes, gene clusters, and gene families, to be able to systematically formulate a combination therapy.
Otherwise, you could eat a ton of plantain weed and it would be useless; in fact, the toxic side effects would probably kill you first.
It was precisely because the dosages for the combination therapy on pig stem cells were all within a safe and controllable range that He Youwei grew restless and eager to try more. Fortunately, Shuya reminded her that there are differences between human and pig genes; what worked on pigs wouldn’t necessarily have the same effect on humans.
「Meanwhile.」
Over the past few days, Jiang Miao had also been having his people investigate whether there were any pharmaceutical companies suitable for acquisition.
After several days of searching, his business secretary, Liu Deming, knocked and entered with a file in hand.
"Boss, here is the list of publicly traded companies that are either on the verge of bankruptcy or poorly managed."
Jiang Miao opened the file and glanced through it.
There were two companies in total:
Tongyuan Kang Pharmaceutical: This company submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange last year and currently has no commercialized products. For 2022, 2023, and the first three quarters of 2024, its cumulative losses amounted to approximately 1.47 billion yuan, with net liabilities reaching 1.271 billion yuan.
Its core product, TY-9591, is a third-generation EGFR inhibitor. Although it showed preliminary superior efficacy in clinical trials, it was already entering a red ocean market before its launch and also faced risks of patent disputes. The company successfully went public last August and is now on the brink of bankruptcy.
Qiongzhou Sea Medicine: Its main business includes the R&D, production, and sales of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Its 2024 financial report showed total operating revenue of 925 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 42.36%. Net loss attributable to the parent company was 350 million yuan, and the net loss after deducting non-recurring items was 220 million yuan.
The company has performed poorly in recent years, facing significant operational pressure and financial difficulties. Its R&D investment is likely restricted, which in turn hinders the progress of its pharmaceutical and medical device development projects.
Jiang Miao immediately crossed Qiongzhou Sea Medicine off the list. ’A company like this is too much trouble,’ he thought. ’Plus, it’s not small. The acquisition would cost too much.’
The nearly bankrupt Tongyuan Kang Pharmaceutical, on the other hand, was worth considering. ’Including its debt, I should be able to acquire it for around three billion,’ he mused.
However, after flipping to the detailed report on Tongyuan Kang Pharmaceutical, he had a feeling this one would be difficult to handle as well.
The company’s founders were three veterans of the pharmaceutical industry—either PhDs in drug R&D or experts in drug development and clinical trials. ’People like that won’t sell their company easily.’
Furthermore, the company possessed a complete industrial chain. It had established R&D centers and production bases in places like Hu City in Zhejiang Province, Shanghai, and Shangdu in Central Plains Province, giving it full drug development and manufacturing capabilities.
’This means they won’t let go easily.’
Just then, he got a call from Li Jianming.
"Ah Miao, have you found a suitable pharmaceutical company yet?"
"Not yet."
"I have a friend who’s looking to offload a pharmaceutical company. He acquired a small firm in Yangcheng a few years ago, but it’s been performing very poorly."
"Are all the licenses and paperwork in order?"
"Everything’s in order. It’s fully licensed for pharmaceutical and medical device R&D and production. It also has two factories—one produces ibuprofen, and the other produces masks and protective suits."
"What’s his asking price?"
"The factories are on the outskirts of the Conghua District, in the northeast part of Yangcheng. Including the land for both factories, the office building, the production lines, and all related licenses and permits, he’s asking for 200 million."
"Send me the information over WeChat. I’ll have my people look into the details."
"Will do."
A short while later, Li Jianming sent the relevant information over.
Jiang Miao took a look.
The company’s name was New Le Kang Pharmaceutical.
For someone like Jiang Miao, having the company name and shareholder information was as good as having everything laid bare.
He dismissed his business secretary, Liu Deming.
Then, using the internet, he swiftly unearthed every piece of information about the company and its shareholders.
After reviewing the information, Jiang Miao had a clear picture of the company’s situation. It was indeed poorly managed. The majority shareholder wasn’t an industry professional. After acquiring the company in 2017, he was duped into funding the development of an anti-aging drug. It was only after sinking five hundred million yuan into the project that he realized he’d been scammed. By then, the swindler had already fled to Maple Country with his entire family.
If he hadn’t made a windfall from ibuprofen, masks, and protective suits during the past few years, he’d probably be regretting it to his very core.
But in the last two years, as market demand fell, New Le Kang Pharmaceutical reverted to its struggling state. With the company now finding it difficult to even stay afloat, the owner, having learned his lesson the hard way, decided to sell.
However, after he put the word out, there were no takers.
This was to be expected, really. After all, major domestic pharmaceutical companies wouldn’t look twice at such a small firm. Other small firms were too busy trying to stay afloat themselves. And outside investors were daunted by the high barrier to entry of the pharmaceutical industry.