Chapter 269 - 207: Rejecting the 3 Major Pharmaceutical Groups and Taking the Path of Independent, Self-Sufficient R&D

Chapter 269: Chapter 207: Rejecting the 3 Major Pharmaceutical Groups and Taking the Path of Independent, Self-Sufficient R&D

Inside the conference room.

Among the representatives present, Xie Bin was the most senior and experienced. He had a long track record of successful investments and recruiting scientists.

The representatives from the four pharmaceutical groups all submitted their respective framework partnership agreements to Wu Ting.

While Wu Ting was reviewing the four proposals, Xie Bin seized the opportunity to make his move.

"Dr. Wu, today’s agreements are just general letters of intent," he began. "We can hash out the finer details after we reach a preliminary understanding."

"What I want to discuss with you are the common problems that outstanding scientists like yourself face when commercializing their research findings."

"Scientists tend to focus more on research. They don’t pay close attention to its integration into manufacturing processes, nor are they sensitive enough to subsequent market demands. There’s a cognitive bias at play here. Many people assume the best technology must have the greatest application potential, but that’s not actually the case."

"The journey from the lab to process engineering, and finally to industrialization, is a long one. The scientist alone, or an inexperienced team, can’t truly handle the latter two stages."

"A project with commercial prospects like yours involves an enormous amount of complex work to get from concept to industrialization. This includes building a team, integrating resources, constructing facilities, navigating policy applications, and securing later-stage financing. All of this requires a powerful and efficient team to coordinate."

"I believe a scientist shouldn’t have to worry about these things; they should just focus on their own research. That’s why, Dr. Wu, your best partner is our Pfizer Group."

"Our company has the ability to provide pre-investment incubation and post-investment empowerment. To ensure your project’s results achieve the best possible industrialization, I believe the best option is for you to directly join our Xianglin City Research Center. We have a mature system and a comprehensive framework in place to guarantee that you only need to focus on your area of expertise..."

...

It had to be said that Xie Bin’s words were very persuasive.

Generally, there were several common forms of cooperation between scientists and pharmaceutical companies: 1. Cooperating through patent licensing or transfer. 2. Some top-tier companies, to ensure their technological edge, would establish industrial research bases and bring in scientists to collaborate. 3. Some companies would directly invite scientists to join them as research leaders or chief scientists.

Undoubtedly, both GSK and Pfizer had chosen the third option. They were directly inviting Wu Ting to join their companies, join their research centers, and become the research lead for the relevant project, offering generous support in the form of a high salary, funding, equipment, technology, and personnel.

Comparing the two, Pfizer had the upper hand with the location of its Xianglin City Research Center, the strength of its scientific team, and its corporate culture.

Johnson & Johnson, on the other hand, had opted for the second method: establishing an industrial research base and bringing in Wu Ting as its director to conduct further research.

Without a doubt, all three companies were heading in the same general direction. They would give Wu Ting a high salary in exchange for taking control of the research project. They would seize decision-making power over commercialization and industrialization, leaving Wu Ting with authority only over the research within the lab itself.

To put it bluntly, Wu Ting would be working for them!

Xie Bin’s preemptive strike, combined with their superior offer, directly caused GSK to give up. Johnson & Johnson also seemed to be lacking confidence.

Xie Bin pressed his advantage over the other two companies, elaborating on his point:

"Dr. Wu, the birth of a new technology in the lab is just the beginning. There’s still a long way to go before it becomes a real product, a commodity that serves industry and society. Starting your own business is incredibly difficult. Every step from conceptualization to commercialization is fraught with hurdles. So, Dr. Wu, I welcome you to join our Pfizer Group and truly realize your value!"

Xie Bin’s argument was a bit aggressive, but it sounded like the best choice for a small-time scientist like Wu Ting.

Under Xie Bin’s forceful presentation, he had implicitly overshadowed Johnson & Johnson and GSK. The latter two companies were already losing hope.

Suddenly, Deng Feifei from Jin Pharmaceutical Group broke the atmosphere of one company’s dominance.

Deng Feifei was a young, beautiful woman who, in the eyes of the three top-tier companies, was just there to make up the numbers. They hadn’t paid her any mind at all.

But at this moment, Deng Feifei proved she was every bit as capable as her male counterparts.

"Dr. Wu, my perspective is completely different from President Xie’s."

"I believe that being an independent entrepreneur is actually the best choice for Dr. Wu. Our group isn’t here to offer you a sweet deal to join us; instead, we are prepared to partner with Dr. Wu Ting as an angel investor."

"Our Jin Pharmaceutical Group might not seem like much in the eyes of the three top-tier pharmaceutical companies. However, there is one thing about our group that they can’t compare to."

"And that is our pharmaceutical group itself. It was built from a single lab project by my mother, with the help of my maternal grandfather and a core team of her classmates—alumni from Jinggang University. It was built up step by step."

"Our group deeply understands the importance of homegrown pharmaceutical companies with independent R&D. The world has changed. Our country’s policy and market environments are both providing support for our domestic industries to become more high-end, precise, and cutting-edge."