Chapter 594: Purchasing the Patent Technology for Treating Leukemia

When the news that two board members had resigned one after another was released, ST Tianqi's stock price immediately began to fall. As chairman, Chen Yang was again summoned for a talk by Governor Liu Jianghua.

"Chen Yang, I said He Wanqiu is unreliable, and you just wouldn't believe me. Now you've stirred up a mess, haven't you?" Liu Jianghua has always been biased against He Wanqiu. If Tianqi Pharmaceutical were a state-owned enterprise, he would have already arranged for her replacement.

Chen Yang spoke up for He Wanqiu, saying, "Governor, Zhou Xiaobo made a mistake, yet you're pushing all the blame onto General Manager He. That's a bit unfair to her!"

Liu Jianghua displeasedly said to Chen Yang, "Don't always protect her. The company has had leak after leak; that's her managerial negligence."

Chen Yang gave a wry smile. "Governor, if we're really going to pursue responsibility for managerial negligence, my responsibility as chairman is even greater," he said.

Liu Jianghua gave Chen Yang a look. If he hadn't done the investigation, he would really suspect Chen Yang and He Wanqiu of having an improper relationship. "Chen Yang, you're now the chairman of a listed company—can't you do things to save me some trouble? One moment you're being sued for patent infringement, the next you're profiting from insider trading by senior executives. If you keep tossing and turning like this, your company might as well just delist. That way I won't always have to clean up after you."

Seeing Liu Jianghua angry, Chen Yang immediately put on a smile. "Governor, please don't be angry. I've already paid a high fee to hire a headhunting firm to search nationwide for senior management talent. I guarantee I won't cause you any more trouble."

Liu Jianghua's mood improved a little upon hearing that, but he soon put on a stern face. "You little brat, how many of your words are true? Last time you assured me you weren't making counterfeit drugs—what happened?"

Chen Yang explained, "Governor, we did have that idea. But after the news leaked, the plan was terminated."

"Moreover, our original intention in developing the generic drug was to ease the financial burden of domestic leukemia patients. You don't know how black that foreign drug is—one box costs twenty-four thousand yuan. Even ordinary folks who know it can cure the disease can only wait to die."

Liu Jianghua frowned upon hearing that and asked, "Do you have confidence you can copy that drug?"

Chen Yang said with some difficulty, "Governor, our domestic pharmaceutical R&D technology still can't compare with foreign levels. Developing a generic drug for leukemia patients would be extremely difficult. If possible, I'd rather just spend money to buy their patent technology."

Liu Jianghua's heart stirred, and he seriously asked Chen Yang, "Are you really willing to spend money to buy that patent technology?"

Chen Yang nodded and curiously asked Governor Liu Jianghua, "Governor, do you have a connection?"

Liu Jianghua said, "The company that sued you earlier came to me through connections from the capital, hoping I would seriously deal with your actions. I persuaded them to back off."

"If you're willing to spend money, I can find someone to arrange a meeting with their representatives. As long as you secure this patent technology, your company's domestic competitiveness will greatly increase."

Chen Yang hadn't expected Liu Jianghua to have already helped him out behind the scenes; he felt deeply moved. He immediately promised, "Governor, as long as they don't ask for an exorbitant price, I will definitely secure this patent technology."

"Alright, then go back and wait for the news!" Liu Jianghua was very pleased with Chen Yang's attitude. As long as Tianqi Pharmaceutical can obtain the patent technology for treating leukemia patients, it will not only shed its "label" but also become a leader in the domestic industry. This is great news for the entire medical community of Dongjiang Province.

After Chen Yang returned to the company, he immediately summoned He Wanqiu to his office.

"General Manager He, go find some reliable people right away and form a negotiation team. In a few days, representatives from Novartis may come to discuss transferring the patent technology to us."

He Wanqiu could hardly believe her ears, and excitedly told Chen Yang, "Chairman, did I hear that right? Is Novartis really willing to transfer their technology?"

Chen Yang nodded and said, "Governor Liu Jianghua has already agreed to find an intermediary to contact them. Whether it will succeed is still uncertain, but we must prepare for the negotiation in advance."

He Wanqiu clenched her fists excitedly and promised Chen Yang, "Chairman, rest assured. As long as they are willing to talk, I guarantee I will secure this patent technology at the best possible price."

Chen Yang seriously reminded her, "General Manager He, this matter must be kept confidential. If another leak occurs, I will also hold you responsible."

He Wanqiu nodded and said, "Chairman, rest assured. If there is another leak this time, I will resign voluntarily."

Chen Yang gave a slight nod, feeling he should also put some pressure on He Wanqiu; otherwise, the things he has to worry about will only keep increasing.

Five days later, Novartis's representatives came to Xingcheng at the invitation of Governor Liu Jianghua.

Their party totaled five people—four men and one woman. All four men were foreigners; the leader was Smith, Novartis's domestic market director. The female translator was Shi Anna, a very attractive mixed-race woman.

To ensure secrecy, Chen Yang personally picked them up from the airport and brought them to his villa.

"Chairman Chen, Mr. Smith said that the transfer of this patent technology applies only to domestic territory. Moreover, you cannot retransfer this technology to other pharmaceutical companies."

Chen Yang actually understood their conversation, since the general meaning matched Shi Anna's translation closely, so he was happy to pretend to be illiterate.

He spoke to Shi Anna in Chinese: "Miss Anna, tell Mr. Smith that we're buying this patent technology to make more money, and we won't share it with other peers."

Shi Anna conveyed Chen Yang's words to Smith, who nodded in satisfaction. Then he added another request: Tianqi Pharmaceutical must guarantee that the drugs produced from this technology can be sold only domestically.

Chen Yang had no objection to that. His original aim was to ease the financial burden of domestic leukemia patients; he had no interest in worrying about foreigners' problems.

After settling the agreement's contents, the next step was to discuss the price.

Smith directly quoted three hundred million USD. His reasoning was that this patent technology for treating leukemia patients still has fourteen years left in China. The domestic market is so large that it would take only a few years to recoup the investment.

Chen Yang thought for a moment, then told Shi Anna, "Your company's patent technology will expire in 13 years. From now, that's eight years. I'll offer two hundred million USD to buy the eight-year domestic production and sales rights. Ask them if they're willing."

Shi Anna reminded Chen Yang, "Chairman Chen, if you only buy eight years of the patent, later negotiations could involve more than just an extra one hundred million USD."

Chen Yang laughed and said, "Miss Anna, just relay my words directly to Mr. Smith."

Seeing Chen Yang insist on buying only eight years of the patent, Shi Anna could only relay his words verbatim to Smith.

Unexpectedly, Smith readily agreed.