Unbelievable Speed (2)
It was, quite frankly, an extraordinary offer. Even by the standards of the 2010s, the Soviet Union’s foundation in basic science was a force that could never be ignored. But if you looked at it from the perspective of the 1980s? Since the Soviets were currently locked in a fierce space race with the United States, the sheer volume of their data was undoubtedly astronomical. Of course, because Yoon-gi had already absorbed a significant number of the scientists who had been under the Soviet umbrella, the pace of the Soviet Union’s own basic scientific advancement had slowed considerably. Still, the offer to hand over the fruits of their long-standing research was an incredibly tempting proposal.
'Of course, since they specified it has to be related to an AIDS treatment, there are significant restrictions attached. But even with those, it will be a massive help to the pharmaceutical company.'
An AIDS virus treatment was, quite literally, a world of the unknown. As such, the basic scientific data required for that research was bound to be vast. And those materials would prove immensely helpful in developing other drugs in the future.
"In truth, I would like to open up technology in even more sectors because I trust in your sincerity, Chairman Choi. However, doing so would invite too many unreasonable risks..."
At Gorbachev’s apologetic tone, Yoon-gi nodded.
"That is only natural. If I were to receive such preferential treatment, President Reagan would surely grow deeply suspicious of me. He would wonder if I had gone beyond being merely 'friendly' with the Soviet Union and had actually defected to your side."
"Ah... I hadn't considered that aspect."
"Hm?"
Gorbachev had been thinking about the suspicions within the Soviet Union, including the Politburo, while Yoon-gi had been thinking about the suspicions of the United States. Because of this, a faint chuckle broke the heavy atmosphere, and the tension eased slightly.
"For now, support with scientific data would be a huge help to get us started. Thanks to you, General Secretary, many scientists and doctors who worked for the Soviet government have moved over to YK Pharmaceuticals, but we were essentially starting from zero when it came to the actual data."
In reality, a significant portion of the scientists working at YK Pharmaceuticals were formerly under the Soviet government. If one were to name the greatest drawback of communism, it would be the 'salaries of the intelligentsia.' Logically, becoming a doctor or a scientist requires an amount of study that defies common sense. Yet, how were doctors and scientists treated in the communist bloc? Surprisingly, they were treated as middle-class or even lower. It wasn't for nothing that in North Korea, doctors would urge their children to defect if they were assigned the same profession. The situation in the Soviet Union was not much different. Considering the number of Soviet scientists who risked their lives to defect to the United States, it was clear that scientists in the Soviet Union were treated like second-class citizens.
'That’s why they’re working so hard at YK Pharmaceuticals.'
Yoon-gi did not discriminate between the Soviet doctors and scientists who joined YK Pharmaceuticals and the staff he had brought from Korea. In fact, he offered better treatment to those who had proven track records. They were people worth that much. Thanks to this, they were fiercely loyal to YK Pharmaceuticals, but the problem was that they couldn't bring the research data they had been working on previously. Even if they had countless facts in their heads, there was a clear difference between 'memory' and 'records.' That was why, from Yoon-gi’s perspective, Gorbachev’s proposal was undeniably attractive. The only issue was that the cost of developing a new drug would be truly astronomical.
'It feels like paying for microtransactions in a mobile game.'
It was, in every sense, the feeling of spending money to buy time. Just as Yoon-gi was having this thought, Gorbachev received his answer.
"Then my proposal might feel even more attractive to you. And there is other support available as well."
"Oh...?"
As Yoon-gi showed interest, Gorbachev continued with confidence.
"The Soviet government will also take responsibility for procuring the resources necessary for clinical trials. Of course, there will be no forced conscription. We will carefully select citizens who are willing and actively support the clinical trials."
"Will that be acceptable?"
"Just look at the United States; everyone will understand."
In fact, the moment the possibility of creating an AIDS treatment through AZT appeared in 1986, the United States released the drug in less than a year. Originally, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) required data spanning at least six years, and up to fifteen, before recognizing a treatment. However, the treatment using AZT was approved rapidly in less than a year. It was a speed that was truly unprecedented. This was proof that the AIDS virus was a terrifying threat that did not distinguish between social classes. With deaths from the AIDS virus already appearing among top American stars and figures in politics and business, it was, in a way, a natural outcome. As such, Gorbachev’s support was as good as a guaranteed promise.
"Lastly. If you succeed in developing an AIDS virus treatment, the Soviet government will not interfere in sales to any country other than the Soviet Union. However, I do require a promise that you will provide it to the Soviet interior at a low price."
The final point was the clincher. Yoon-gi stood up from his seat and reached out a hand toward Gorbachev.
"I will do it."
"Thank you!"
The first project of YK Pharmaceuticals had been decided.
***
"What? AIDS virus research?"
Gregory, a scientist in his mid-40s, asked his Korean colleague, Han Seok-chan, looking somewhat bewildered.
"Yeah, they say it’s our company’s first project?"
"No matter how I think about it, I feel like our Chairman has completely lost his mind. Even in the U.S., they think there’s no answer for AZT if the AIDS virus mutates or develops resistance, and now an AIDS treatment...?"
"But isn't it worth a challenge? If we manage to develop it, we could become the heroes who cured an incurable disease."
"Well, I suppose that's true. But I'm just worried that this great company I finally joined will falter by taking on a challenge that won't work out."
"I don't think that will happen. Just think about the Chairman's personal wealth."
At Han Seok-chan’s words, Gregory realized he had been worrying about something stupid.
"Ah, right. But come to think of it, the Chairman is quite fascinating. If it were me, I wouldn't have invested in the Soviet Union; I would have just spent my time making money in the U.S."
"My thoughts are a bit different."
"Why?"
Seeing that Han Seok-chan seemed to have a unique perspective, Gregory looked at him with interest.
"If he had done business in the U.S., wouldn't he have been heavily checked by other chaebols? It’s precisely because he established a base in the Soviet Union that he can make these kinds of moves."
"Hmm, I suppose you could think of it that way. But isn't the Chairman's wife's grandfather the American Guster? With that, his connections should be rock solid, right?"
Han Seok-chan shook his head.
"Nah, no matter how strong those connections are, it’s hard to withstand it if American chaebols unite. It’s true that Guster is a great figure, but aren't there other people in the U.S. just as great as Guster?"
"Well... that’s true too."
"Of course, that doesn't mean the YK Group is a trivial group, though. I’m just so happy to be part of YK."
"I agree."
Slurp.
Their conversation was briefly cut off by a loud, slurping sound.
"Hey, aren't you tired of that yet?"
Gregory’s complaint was directed at Lyudmila, another colleague in the breakroom. Perhaps because long skirts made it difficult to move her knees, Lyudmila, who was wearing a somewhat short skirt, was slurping down Slavs-men with a fork.
"Not really? Slavs-men is the best if you want to eat quickly in five minutes and get back to research. Biscuits and things like that are hard and cold, so I don't really crave them."
"You’re going to get fat if you keep eating like that."
"Hehe, my family has a constitution that doesn't gain weight. My dad, my mom, my grandma, my grandpa—they all eat a ton, but they don't gain weight."
"Damn it... I gain weight even if I eat just a little."
"That’s a shame. It would be nice if your weight dropped as easily as your hair does."
"Hey! Do you want to die?"
"That’s revenge for being nosy about me getting fat. Bleh-"
Han Seok-chan was staring at Lyudmila, who was sticking her lips out, with a blank expression.
"What, did you fall for me? Well, I am a bit beautiful, aren't I?"
Lyudmila stood up and stretched, pretending to show off her figure. Of course, since she was cooped up in the lab all day, only her greasy long hair and messy skin stood out.
"And you're an old lady, too..."
"Hey!"
The conversation between Gregory and Lyudmila. In fact, the reason Han Seok-chan had a blank expression wasn't because Lyudmila was beautiful.
'These guys, are they really Soviet?'
Their Korean was fluently, shockingly good. That’s right. They had been conversing in Korean the entire time. It made sense, as they were doctors and scientists. As such, they belonged to the group with highly superior brains, and they had quickly adapted to the absolute condition of YK Pharmaceuticals: the use of Hangul. Of course, it was also because they were giving their all to avoid being kicked out of YK, given how poorly they had been treated by the Soviet government.
"By the way, Lyudmila, were you single?"
"Gasp!"
At Han Seok-chan’s question, Gregory gasped in shock.
"Huh? Why are you like that?"
Han Seok-chan’s question toward Gregory. At the same time, Lyudmila crouched on the floor, began drawing something on the ground with her index finger, and started to sigh.
"Sigh..."
With countless men lost to World War II and many other reasons thereafter, the Soviet Union, unfortunately, had a situation where the number of women exceeded the number of men. That’s right. Lyudmila was a beautiful spinster.
***
October 1987. Time really flew by. N was still busy cleaning up the remnants of the military regime, and the same was true for YS and DJ. Because of this, Yoon-gi could focus on his work in the Soviet Union, which was reading the reports submitted by the pharmaceutical company’s researchers.
'Damn it, I barely understand any of this.'
No matter how smart Yoon-gi was, it was absolutely impossible to understand knowledge that scientists had accumulated over decades in a single day. Of course, if he spent several years studying, he might be able to understand a significant portion. However, Yoon-gi was in a situation where he couldn't afford to invest time in that. Therefore, Yoon-gi essentially used a cheat code.
'So this is the synthetic compound?'
Originally, new drug development was incredibly complex, but if you summarized the process as much as possible, it could be divided into four major stages. Finding the raw material that produces the effect. Optimizing the found raw material. Conducting clinical trials on animals. Conducting clinical trials on humans. This period took at least 5 years, and up to 15 years or more. In particular, the stage where articles start appearing in news or newspapers is the third stage, and the vast majority of new drugs fail at the fourth stage.
'We are currently at stage one.'
The scientists at YK Pharmaceuticals divided into teams and found raw materials presumed to be effective against the AIDS virus. And although they hadn't optimized them, they processed those raw materials to create a single substance, which they then submitted to the higher-ups. The substances currently placed in front of Yoon-gi were the ones brought by Lee In-hae.
'It’s time to shine.'
Yoon-gi placed the vibrator in the center of the office.