Kyung Dae-yong and Kevin South watched Park Jin-hyuk expectantly, waiting for what he would say.
But unlike the others, Sa Jeong-man looked at Park Jin-hyuk, his heart pounding with anxiety.
‘What are you planning to do?’
Supplying forty million doses was already an astronomical amount.
But when the talk turned to eighty million, his heart almost leapt out of his chest.
Yet, even that—if certain conditions were met and they ran the factory with blood, sweat, and tears—wasn’t entirely impossible.
But now, it looked as though Park Jin-hyuk was about to mention an even bigger number.
Anything beyond that belonged in the realm of fairy tales.
Sa Jeong-man wanted to cover Park Jin-hyuk’s mouth before he could speak.
Whether he knew Sa Jeong-man’s growing anxiety or not, Park Jin-hyuk smiled and began to speak.
“We will continue with the biosimilar business for Truxima.”
At Park Jin-hyuk’s proposal, Kevin South and Sven Peterson immediately jumped to their feet.
“That’s out of the question! Isn’t your offer to produce PitaFlu on the condition that you give up Truxima?”
“Oh, is that so? Is that not possible? It doesn’t seem like you’re in that much of a hurry. In that case, we have no choice but to give up on producing PitaFlu.”
Without another word, Park Jin-hyuk simply shut his mouth.
The ones growing anxious at that sight were the Rohashu representatives.
Kevin South hurriedly tried to get Park Jin-hyuk talking again.
“Let’s discuss this again. Surely we can find some common ground.”
Although Kevin South tried to step back, Park Jin-hyuk’s attitude remained unchanged.
“No. I don’t think there is any common ground. The gap between what Rohashu wants and what we want is just too big. Can we really find a compromise when we’re this far apart? Rather than wasting time on fruitless discussions, it’s best to just call it here.”
At Park Jin-hyuk’s resolute words, Kevin South let out a deep sigh.
“Fine. Seeing you take this approach, it seems you know everything already. I’ll be blunt. If you don’t help us, Rohashu’s patent rights for PitaFlu will be suspended. And that’s when a major outbreak is all but certain. Our projected losses are over three billion Swiss francs over the next three years.”
Sa Jeong-man quickly did the math in his head after hearing Kevin South’s words.
If Kevin was correct, Rohashu stood to lose almost four trillion won.
Even for a global pharmaceutical giant like Rohashu, a loss of four trillion in such a short time could have a profound impact on the company’s future.
Sa Jeong-man now understood why Kevin South was desperate to keep Park Jin-hyuk, who seemed ready to walk out.
The initiative at the negotiating table had shifted rapidly to the DS side.
Rohashu knew this too, but there was nothing they could do.
The moment it was proven DS could deliver, the reins had passed into DS’s hands.
Park Jin-hyuk looked at Kevin South and Sven Peterson with a sympathetic expression.
“That really is a big problem, isn’t it?”
Yet Park Jin-hyuk just kept smiling.
Kevin South’s sigh grew heavier.
“Hoo. We’ll grant you the Asia license and exclusive production rights for PitaFlu. In exchange, give PitaFlu priority for the biologics production quota. We’d like all production volume to be set based on PitaFlu.”
No matter what, he was saying that the PitaFlu supply could not be disrupted.
For the client giving the order to adopt this attitude showed just how desperate they were.
And, by not even trying to hide it, they seemed to realize that seeking Park Jin-hyuk’s help was their fastest option.
Park Jin-hyuk nodded at Kevin South’s words.
“Very well. Then let’s specify a minimum guarantee period for PitaFlu production. Do not change the production quantity for at least three years.”
“At least three years?”
“And the license too. I’d like it renewed every three years.”
At Park Jin-hyuk’s words, Kevin South showed no reaction.
Rather, Kyung Dae-yong and Sa Jeong-man, sitting beside Park Jin-hyuk, swallowed dryly and gazed at him with worried expressions.
Park Jin-hyuk’s expression didn’t change at all as he continued with his terms.
“I’d also like the clinical trial results for Truxima handed over.”
At Park Jin-hyuk’s words, Kevin South closed his eyes.
Not only was Park Jin-hyuk refusing to give up Truxima, he was now asking for production support.
‘He’s got us by the throat.’
Kevin South now realized there was nothing more they could do.
Park Jin-hyuk didn’t loosen his grip.
With just a little more pressure, the great bear called Rohashu would surely collapse.
“I’ve heard your production facility in India will be shutting down.”
Kevin South opened his eyes and nodded at Park Jin-hyuk’s words.
He’d suspected as much, but hearing it with his own ears made his mood sink further.
“Your patent rights are on the verge of being suspended… I know Rohashu is in a difficult situation. So I won’t ask for too much. If you can meet these terms, we’ll match the production volumes you need. We’ll postpone all other production plans and focus all our capacity on Rohashu’s PitaFlu. We’ll produce as much as possible, without specifying a number—everything that comes off the line will go to you.”
Kevin South’s eyes widened in shock at Park Jin-hyuk’s offer.
“Is that really true?”
“It’s true. Since you’ve brought the contract, let’s sign a preliminary agreement right here and ease your concerns. DS Biologics’ Plant 1 and Plant 2 will give top priority to PitaFlu production for Rohashu. President Sa, there shouldn’t be any problem supplying eighty million doses per month, right?”
Suddenly put on the spot, Sa Jeong-man replied with a bewildered expression.
“Executive Director… Considering that we have other products in production at the moment…”
“We’ll withdraw all existing products.”
“What? What do you mean? Are you saying we’ll cut off our current clients?”
“If we break the contract, we’ll have to pay penalties and it’ll look bad, won’t it? We have to make them break the contract. Oh, except for the Novo orders that we’ll keep as our future main business.”
“I’m not sure I follow…”
“Anyway, if we clear out the existing products, it’s possible, correct?”
“Yes, technically, but…”
“Good. Then let’s get started right away. Let’s sign. We’re ready.”
Sa Jeong-man, unable to collect himself, looked around in a daze.
He wished someone would explain the current situation to him; everything was happening so fast it made his head spin.
Kyung Dae-yong approached the stunned Sa Jeong-man and patted him on the shoulder to calm him down.
Having recently felt the same in San Francisco, Kyung Dae-yong could guess exactly how Sa Jeong-man felt.
Once Park Jin-hyuk decided to sign, the contract proceeded at lightning speed.
And seeing Park Jin-hyuk brush aside all other production and promise to focus every resource on Rohashu’s PitaFlu, the Rohashu representatives’ expectations grew.
Still, just in case, Rohashu insisted on a clause in the contract stating that production should begin “as soon as possible,” to ensure the process started as quickly as possible.
As the contract was signed, Park Jin-hyuk made one request of Rohashu.
“Please delay the public announcement of this contract by one month.”
“You want us to delay the announcement?”
“Yes. There’s something we need to handle on our end.”
The Rohashu representatives exchanged quick words among themselves and agreed to Park Jin-hyuk’s request.
They promised to stay in touch regarding details until the main contract was finalized, then left Biologics.
After all the Rohashu representatives had departed, Park Jin-hyuk turned to the bewildered Sa Jeong-man and gave him an order.
“Prepare to withdraw Hansung Pharmaceuticals’ production lines.”
“Was what you said earlier in reference to Hansung?”
“Isn’t it uncomfortable? I’m uneasy about Hansung, so I don’t want to handle their products.”
Even Kyung Dae-yong, who knew Biologics was up for sale, nodded at Park Jin-hyuk’s words.
“It did feel off. But without Hansung’s volume, the plant utilization rate drops, so we had no choice. Now, though, there’s no reason to keep them. Removing Hansung’s orders is actually good for us. But how will you make them break the contract?”
“When there’s a happy occasion, many gifts come in. Among them, someone’s bound to slip in a bomb. And sometimes, someone pretends not to notice, accepts the bomb as a gift, and then passes it to someone else as if nothing’s wrong.”
“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
“Hahaha. I trust that person will hand me the bomb. Just watch. I’ll make Hansung pull out first. Then we can collect the penalty. So, President Sa, prepare and calculate how much we should get in penalties.”
Between the confused Sa Jeong-man and the vaguely understanding Kyung Dae-yong, only Park Jin-hyuk kept smiling.
*****
The banquet hall at Korea Hotel was decked in flowers, warmly greeting every guest who entered.
In late February, the midday temperature hovered just under 10 degrees, and the sunshine lent a feeling of coziness to the air.
“Executive Director, I’ve received word from President Sa. Hansung’s production will wrap up in a few days, and all lines are being set up to match Rohashu’s requirements.”
Park Jin-hyuk sat eating a cherry tomato from his plate as Kim Jun-woo gave his report.
“What about Rohashu?”
“They call nearly every day. They’re in a frenzy to sign the main contract and start production.”
“What’s got them so worked up? Is the epidemic already hitting Europe?”
Kim Jun-woo glanced around, then leaned in to speak quietly.
“I’ve heard their European plant is running at full tilt and still falling short. The US CDC says Asia is next for a massive outbreak.”
“Is that so? Then why haven’t we heard anything? There’s no news of a flu epidemic here.”
“Europe and the US are stockpiling like mad. If China and the rest of Asia join in, there could be chaos. Word is, the US CDC is controlling the information, expanding the coverage bit by bit.”
“What nonsense. It’s not gradual—they’re just making sure Asia doesn’t jump in before they secure their own supply. Anyway, we should get moving. Who knows what might happen if we delay. Tell President Sa to finalize the main contract tomorrow and start production. Whatever happens today, we’ll see it through, so we don’t have to wait anymore.”
Given Rohashu’s frantic attitude and the way things were moving, it seemed the situation might be more serious than it appeared.
No news about the flu was making headlines, but behind the scenes, countries were desperately scrambling for medicine.
If China and India—the most populous nations—began to move before the outbreak was contained, the situation could spiral out of control.
Determined to prepare, Park Jin-hyuk popped another cherry tomato in his mouth.
“We meet again here.”
While Park Jin-hyuk was lost in thought, a familiar voice called out to him.
Kim Jun-woo, having watched Park Jin-hyuk deep in thought, turned and greeted the speaker.
“Welcome.”
“Yes. You’re the secretary, right? I remember you from last time.”
“Yes, I am. Thank you for remembering.”
As they spoke, Park Jin-hyuk watched the woman sit down beside him.
As Cheong-woo’s eldest daughter, she seemed to have been invited to Park Sang-hyuk’s engagement party today.
“You know what this is, don’t you? My younger brother’s engagement. Of course I’d be here.”
“Really? I thought you might not come.”
“Is that so?”
Park Jin-hyuk nodded at her words.
He could see how one might skip such an event when the younger sibling was getting ahead.
But there was something more important scheduled to happen here today.
And as the main character in that, he couldn’t be absent.
Even if they tried to keep him out, Park Jin-hyuk had no choice but to be here today.
“Anyway… Are you sure you’re comfortable just sitting here?”
“I’m not the main character, so who’s going to complain if I stay put?”
Park Jin-hyuk continued to munch on his cherry tomatoes.
She smiled at him, then glanced toward one side of the garden.
“Don’t your ears itch? They’re over there, in the middle of a gossip session all about you.”
Park Jin-hyuk followed her gaze.
A group of middle-aged women were huddled together, deep in conversation.
And at the center, he saw a familiar face.
“Ah, it doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t? Do you even know what they’re saying?”
“If that’s my mother over there, I can already guess what’s being said. And I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, too.”
“Even so, doesn’t it make you angry?”
“Hahaha. That’s an amusing thing to say.”
Park Jin-hyuk chuckled, shaking his head as if he’d heard a good joke.
She seemed offended by his reaction.
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