Chapter 79

Long live the vaccine. Lee Sung Group is the number 1 in Korea’s business world in name and reality. It was showing an overwhelming gap in sales and net profit with Mirae Auto Group, which ranked second in terms of market cap. A company with strong competitiveness in electronics, finance, construction, shipbuilding, service, and medical fields. The secretary’s office staff at Isung Biologics answered the incoming call. “The president of Leon’s? Yes. I know about Leons. What kind of business are you?” ―I called because of a vaccine production order. “You want to order vaccine production from us? Can I put you through the contracts department?” ―I would like to have a direct conversation with CEO Seong-rip Choi. “The boss has entered the meeting. After the meeting, can I call you back on this number?” Seok-tae Yoo, president of Leons, thought that the secretarial staff at Isung Biologics were very kind. I was not an employee of a large company for nothing. -Hmm. Then, would you please deliver the business first? Yess. Tell me, please.” ―Kim Shin is waiting in San Francisco for a contract to produce a coronavirus vaccine. In response to a phone call from President Yoo Seok-tae, the President of Iseong Biologics came to the United States in person. They say they took a private plane to get there as quickly as possible. “It is an honor to meet you. CEO Kim Shin.” “Hello.” Choi Sang-rip, the president of Iseong Biologics, has a long career in pharmaceutical companies. He has worked for several pharmaceutical companies, including Roche. “Isung Group is actively investing in the bio field and expanding its production scale. Isung Biologics has ranked first in the world in terms of production facilities, and more investments are underway. If you sign a contract with our company, you will be fully satisfied.” I heard an explanation of the factory and production technology. In the afternoon, Oh Hee-jin, CEO of DK Bioscience, came. For the corona vaccine production contract, the CEOs are directly out of sales. “After being separated from DK Chemicals, we have been investing heavily in the field of vaccines. Hepatitis and cervical cancer vaccines are being made using recombinant protein methods. In addition, we are equipped with cell culture or genetic recombination processes to produce various vaccines.” I met the representatives of the two companies and heard various explanations about the companies. The specifics of this proposal have not been disclosed. I had only told President Yoo Seok-tae that I would talk about the corona vaccine contract. ―President Yoo Seok-tae: For details, meet and negotiate. ―President Yoo Seok-tae: Over there, we expect to produce 10 million units. ―President Yoo Seok-tae: That alone is more than $80 million in sales. Besides, the production of corona vaccines has a reputation in the industry. ―President Yoo Seok-tae: Huh. It’s a business that Leon would never want to give to others, even if he were ready. In many ways, the body has no choice but to be sweet. That evening, I met again with representatives from both companies. “The reason we brought these two together is for a vaccine production contract.” Yeses. Please speak.” Choi Sang-rip and Oh Hee-jin. The two CEOs seemed to be thinking a little more leisurely. Currently in the second clinical trial. It’s a stage where you don’t know if you’ll go to a production contract in the future or not. It would be a common idea to conclude a vaccine production contract in advance with various conditions. “The initial production volume of the vaccine is 300 million.” “300 million outline?” The two bosses had similarly bewildered faces. After overpowering the steamer with the quantity, he spoke comfortably. “And it is a condition that goes into production right now. Contact Korea and send an employee to BioLife. You can listen to the explanation of the vaccine from the researchers, and suggest the amount that can be manufactured, the time required, and the budget.” I will put in a large order, so come to me with your price or whatever. I can’t do this much power against a big company. If not at this time, I don’t know when I’ll be able to try it. Isung Biologics is in an emergency. 701.6 billion won in sales in the previous year. Although it is a fast-growing company, the contract offer far exceeded last year’s sales. It was the most colossal contract at stake since its founding. “Why are you trying to sign a production contract now? You could blow a lot of money.” “That might be… … .” At the words of a subordinate, President Choi Seong-rip thought of Kim Shin. It wasn’t long before I met him, but I felt a strange temperament. Calm yet stubborn, a flash of light, and a feeling of enjoying a game. It may be an image that came to me when I first came across it through the media. Still, it didn’t sound like a bad proposal. “Even if you take risks, you will take risks.” “To sell the vaccine first?” “I think it is to supply people with vaccines rather than that intention.” Not to make money, but to save people’s lives by supplying vaccines quickly. “You will have to invest more than a trillion units. Isn’t this what the government should do?” “There are times when entrepreneurs are better than governments. Anyway, everyone moves quickly. What the client wants is production as quickly as possible, so plan accordingly. If this is taken away by DK, we are all prepared to die.” Listen to the explanation of vaccine manufacturing at Biolife. Check the empty factory facilities and even check the situation of competitors. DK Bioscience also showed a similar move. According to Shin Kim’s suggestion, the leading company in the bio field in Korea could change. They say that the flower of a salaryman is an executive. The presidents of the two companies came to San Francisco to meet me without adjusting to the time difference. The next morning, he appeared with a face that had not been able to sleep all night. “If Iseung Biologics prepares now, we can produce 230 million units within this year. We will change the factory equipment and prepare for production in three months.” “DK Bioscience can manufacture 200 million units in 5 months.” Both companies said they could rush as quickly as possible. Isn’t it the Korean manufacturing industry that boasts the utmost sophistication while doing things quickly? Since it is a cell culture method, it was not difficult to produce. Assuming we produce more than 100 million, we can produce one dose for $3.” President Choi Seong-rip first talked about the price, and then President Oh Hee-jin sighed for a moment before talking. “The price is the same for our company. Perhaps three dollars is the limit for vaccine production.” President Yoo Seok-tae talked about 8 dollars, but it seems that the manufacturing cost has dropped a lot as the production volume increased. It could be because the two companies competed fiercely. “Then there are 230 million in reason. I will entrust 200 million to DK.” “Are you saying you want to order everything you can produce?” “Yes.” A detailed contract was drawn up immediately. It was a condition that a down payment of 100 million dollars was paid, and the balance was paid as soon as the vaccine was produced. ‘It remains to be seen whether we will make 430 million defective vaccines or save people.’ 〈Iseong Biologics Official Corona Vaccine Contract〉 〈DK Bioscience, $600 million production supply contract〉 〈Kim Shin entrusts Korean pharmaceutical companies with the production of corona vaccines〉 〈Korea as an Emerging Corona Production Base〉 〈Korean bio industry that designs and produces corona vaccines〉 Iseong and DK. After signing production contracts with two pharmaceutical companies, an article appeared the next morning in Korean time. The stock market reacted as soon as the market opened, rising more than 4%. 〈The Korean stock market soared!〉 〈Stock price rise brought by the coronavirus vaccine〉 〈Iseong Biologics, DK Bioscience. Upper limit next to each other＞ The news of the vaccine contract forced the stock market to boil. ―Did Kim Shin sign a contract with Lee Sung and DK to help us earn money? -Wow. Look at the scale. Production contracts exceed $1.2 billion. ―Big companies feel small in front of Kim Shin. ―I envy people who own stocks in Isung Biologics. I thought it was overrated, but now it has wings. Among them, sometimes there were articles mixed with concerns. ―But you’re saying you’re producing a BioLife vaccine. Is this the 2nd clinical trial? ―It must have been a contract. In a way that can be canceled at any time. -Not really? Are you producing right now? It is said that the factory equipment is changing for the production of the coronavirus vaccine. -What? Production without passing clinical trials? ―Doesn’t the stock price plummet if clinical trials fail? If you do it wrong, the lower limit will be right. -No. Just posted a detailed article. Brother Kim Shin officially signed a delivery contract. Even if the clinical trial fails, the companies in charge of production do not suffer any loss. ―Why is Kim Shin-hyung doing such a thing? ―There are only two possible reasons. -What? ―You have great confidence in the vaccine. Or to quickly produce a vaccine and send it out into the world. -ah… … . ―I thought they were only giving us financial treatment, but they were trying to give us actual vaccine treatment as well. ―You weren’t a miser who only knew money. ―Kim Shin-hyung, who spends a lot of money even if he saves change. ―I usually drink cheap coffee, but when I have to use it, I spend over 1.5 trillion won. ―For some reason, I have a feeling; The news of signing contracts with Korean companies was widely reported in the United States and Europe. 〈Kim Shin, will he become a savior in the Corona era?〉 〈The genius investor’s risky decision〉 I spent my time working hard, not caring about external reactions. It may sound arrogant, but I’m used to the popularity of internet communities and YouTube. I was proud of myself, as it was widely known that I had done a good job. Anonymous donations are great, but honestly, I wasn’t that mature. I did a good job, but I’m sorry if it’s not known. Older brother.” “Yes.” “Famous gukppong YouTubers are sucking hyung at once.” “Hehehe.” “A hero who made Korea shine in the 21st century. Please watch this video.” “Done. I think I know what it’s about without even looking at it.” Either that or not, I was too busy preparing for the opening of the Earth Channel. ―Kim Sang-gi: The official contract with the gamers has been completed. ―Kim Sang-ki: The goal is to win in the first year. Ha ha ha ha ha. The game team was getting ready. ―Vice President Jeong Beom-tae: Seven dramas are being filmed. ―Kim Shin: Isn’t it difficult because of Corona? ―Vice President Jeong Beom-tae: We are paying attention to quarantine. The staff and actors only go back and forth between the dorm and the set. ―Vice President Jeong Beom-tae: Because of the coronavirus, other filming was stopped. It is convenient to schedule a shooting. Filming for dramas, variety shows, and movies took place in Korea. The part about personal broadcasting and video content was being prepared by Earth Resource’s programmers. Two months passed by as I worked so hard on my job. ―Paul: Pfizer and Moderna are conducting the second clinical trial. ―Paul: The second clinical trial is much stricter. ―Kim Shin: What about the vaccine side effects? ―Paul: It’s not common, but it seems to come out quite often. There are cases of muscle spasms, inflammatory reactions, and severe pain for several days. -Kim Shin: Oh…. In an instant, my eyes went dark. 1.5 trillion. The amount invested in Biolife and the amount supported for vaccine development is a much larger amount than that. The loss of money was surmountable. However, along with the hope of a vaccine, even the efforts of Dr. Lee Ho-yeon… ―Paul: There are side effects, but the situation is urgent. If this is the case, it seems that Pfizer and Moderna will pass the clinical trial. -Kim Shin: Yes? ―Kim Shin: What about our vaccine? When I asked about vaccine side effects, did you give an overall answer? When I thought that there was no flexibility, the opponent was a university professor. ―Paul: It is overwhelmingly stable. ―Paul: Myocarditis and pericarditis, which are side effects of the other two vaccines, are significantly less likely to occur, and there is no concern about blood clots. ―Kim Shin: Really? -Paul: Yes. It’s because it’s not the mRNA method. There were concerns that the efficacy would be lower than that of the two companies. In clinical practice, higher levels of antibodies were formed. Long live the BioLife vaccine.