The Magician’s Memorial - Chapter 347



Only Krnovel

347. Two Track (1)

Centrian New Drug Development Office.

We had a conversation with CEO Seo Jeong-jun and Dr. Kim Jang-woo in the new drug development room.

“Is the development of new drugs going well?”

“It cannot be called a new drug. It is a drug that already knows how to make it, so there are no major difficulties. In particular, Dr. Jang-Woo Kim is there, and we were able to complete several simulations in a short period of time through artificial intelligence, so we were able to complete it quickly.”

Centrian could not be considered a large pharmaceutical company.

It was a company that did not make it into the top 10 in Korea, and was one of the small companies in terms of global pharmaceutical companies.

However, technology never lags behind.

Of course, there are many shortcomings compared to pharmaceutical companies with a long history of experience.

Because it was the first to adopt the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, it was growing rapidly in a different direction.

“It’s not difficult to make an imitation drug if you know how to make it.”

“Yes. Artificial intelligence is especially helpful in manufacturing imitation drugs. Since tens of thousands of simulations can be run within a week, trial and error can be greatly reduced.”

“Producing insulin won’t take that long. You can start developing insulin today. They say Robo Nordisk will pass on the production technology and know-how, so there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

CEO Seo Jeong-jun looked at me, forgetting to say anything.

Even Dr. Kim Jang-woo, who was quietly listening to the story next to him, could not keep his mouth shut.

“Did you really secure the right to produce insulin?”

“We have secured the right to produce and sell only in the Asian region. And if Robo Nordisk succeeds in developing a new drug, we have signed a contract so that Centrian can also produce and sell that new drug.”

“Are you talking about the New Testament? It’s too heavy on my shoulders.”

CEO Seo Jeong-jun was a manager.

So I knew very well how much money was needed to secure the rights to produce insulin and new drugs.

His shoulders felt heavy when he heard that he was investing an astronomical amount of money to support Centrion.

“There is no need to feel burdened. It is enough as long as you lead Centrian well as you are now.”

“We will succeed in manufacturing insulin as quickly as possible.”

“Even if we succeed in manufacturing insulin, we will need specialized facilities and equipment for mass production. Taewu Group will even support the costs.”

“No, we can secure enough facilities and equipment with Centrion’s funds. This is possible because sales have increased significantly with Tamiflu.”

“If you lack anything, please tell us. We will support you at any time.”

Korea’s first insulin manufacturing company.

It was a new achievement that would be added to the Centrian, and it was an achievement that would increase the value of the Centrian by at least two times.

“How about recruiting talent from Indian pharmaceutical companies through IIT? I understand there are quite a few experts with insulin manufacturing technology in India.”

“If you give me the list, I will recruit you as quickly as possible. If you offer a high salary and a professorship at IIT, I think I will be able to recruit you.”

Dr. Jangwoo Kim’s opinion was not wrong.

India was a country with many outstanding talents in mathematics, engineering, IT, and pharmaceuticals, and in particular, many experts related to insulin manufacturing.

“I will prepare the list and send it to you later today. There was also news that India has developed a new method of making insulin.”

“Of course we should recruit such talent.”

Insulin could not be made using only one method.

Since many pharmaceutical companies were producing various types of diabetes treatments, there was nothing wrong with Centrion.

“Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. I will work harder to live up to the chairman’s expectations.”

“I am making this investment because I trust CEO Seo. Please continue as you are now.”

CEO Seo Jeong-jun bowed his head 90 degrees and said hello.

I patted him on the shoulder and left the new drug development room.

* * *

Thursday, two days left until my business trip to the US.

Today, I visited the Taewo IT office building, not the Taewo Group headquarters, to meet team leader Cheon Min-jeong before heading to the United States.

“Are you still very busy these days?”

“Because so many people have been added, I don’t really have anything to do. I just look at the results and suggest corrections or the direction of the project.”

Ordinary office workers tried to make their achievements known in any way possible.

However, Cheon Min-jeong, on the other hand, tried to hide what she was doing.

It was a white lie told out of concern that if it became known that he was overloaded with work, he might not be able to do his current job.

“If I have time left, can I take on a new project? But it’s not a huge project, it’s a project that can be done like playing with a toy.”

“New toys are always welcome. But what kind of toys are they?”

“Should we call it a heavy equipment toy? Soon, Taewoo Group will acquire a construction equipment company called Bumcat.”

It was Cheon Min-jeong who showed interest in the word construction machinery.

She was intrigued because it was a completely different field from what she had been doing so far.

“What can I do?”

“Bumcat is a company that produces small machines, including construction machines. Wouldn’t it be fun to apply autonomous driving or wireless control systems?”

“If we remove the cockpit from a heavy-duty vehicle and add an autonomous driving system, it will become much smaller. And it will be possible to perform dangerous tasks without a human being on board.”

As expected, I thought there would be interest.

She was so excited that she threw out all the ideas that came to her mind.

“And it is also connected to the factory automation project currently underway. Applying autonomous driving algorithms to small machines to enable them to do work on their own. If applied in warehouses or factories, something comparable to the industrial revolution will not occur. Huh?”

“We were already developing artificial intelligence related to factory automation. All we have to do is combine the autonomous driving system and factory automation artificial intelligence!”

Taewoo Group was investing more in factory automation than any other company.

In addition to the technologies that Amazon had already applied, it was also creating and applying many of its own systems.

Nevertheless, the factory still needed many employees, and dangerous accidents occurred whenever possible.

What if small machines took over dangerous jobs?

It is possible to prevent human casualties caused by safety accidents.

In addition, a long-term labor cost reduction effect could be expected.

“Try forming a research team and giving it a try. You can hire as many people as you want.”

“Then, can we select people from Taewo IT, Taewo Motors, and Rocket, and also have IIT graduate students participate in this project?”

“You can even involve external people in the project, so proceed to your heart’s content.”

“Thank you! This looks like so much fun!”

It was Cheon Min-jeong, jumping up and down with excitement.

Combination of Bumcat, autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence.

The value of Bumcat, acquired for 5 trillion won, could have been 50 trillion won depending on Cheon Min-jung’s abilities.

* * *

Dallas Fort Worth Airport.

It is the largest airport in Texas and the third largest airport in the world.

As soon as I arrived at the airport, I felt warm, unlike the cold winter in Korea.

“Boss! I will take care of you from here.”

“You wait at the hotel, but you always have to go to the airport.”

“The boss is coming, so of course I have to come meet him.”

Under David’s guidance, CEO Han and I moved to the hotel.

When we arrived at the hotel, David sighed in frustration.

“Ahu! The conversation ended well with most of the Texas Yujis, but I’m not able to convince just one person.”

“I guess he’s someone you can’t just ignore?”

“He is a person who owns land in a major area, so if we can’t persuade him, we can’t do the shale gas business properly.”

David said, taking out the materials he had prepared and showing them.

An elderly person wearing a cowboy hat with a Texas feel.

At first glance, it gave the impression of being strict and conservative.

“Even without looking at the data, you appear to be a polar supporter of the Republican Party. Have you tried using your connections in the political world?”

“We tried deploying a large number of Texas-based politicians, but it didn’t have much effect. They say they don’t like it even if we give them a huge amount of money, so there is currently no way to target them.”

“Austin Connolly. All we have to do is target this guy and we’ll be ready.”

I stared at Austin’s photo.

A variety of detailed information flashed before my eyes, and I was able to obtain helpful information.

“I guess it’s not like there’s no way, but David will have to go through some trouble.”

“As long as I can convince Austin, I can go through as much trouble as I want!”

It was David who seemed to have suffered a lot from Austin.

So far, there has been no problem that he has not been able to solve, not only on Wall Street but also in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Because of that, he had a lot of pride in not being able to persuade him to maintain the region in Texas.

“I need help from the most powerful person in Texas.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Wouldn’t President Bush’s words make sense?”

President Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States.

Before becoming president, he served as governor of Texas and also had experience as the owner of a baseball team in Texas.

The biggest politician with roots in Texas was former President Bush.

“Aren’t you playing too many cards to persuade one local official?”

“It may be excessive, but it is also a sure card. Is there still a connection with former President Bush?”

“A direct contact line is available.”

“Still, it’s rude to call them directly about something like this. Use a Republican congressman to let them know you want to meet and then contact them.”

“I’ll move right now.”

David picked up his phone.

To others, it may look like a regular cell phone.

His cell phone could be called a diamond phone rather than a golden phone.

Because it was the only cell phone that contained the contact information of political and business figures from all over the United States.

“Boss! I contacted President Bush through a Republican congressman. He said I could contact him now.”

“Already? I don’t think it’s been even 30 minutes, but I’ve already contacted you.”

David shrugged.

Although he failed to persuade Texas, it was a gesture that seemed to emphasize that his skills were not dead yet.

“We can’t keep the former president waiting. Contact us right now.”

“No, I have to contact you directly. Just enter your number.”

Tiririk!

I pressed the call button and contacted President Bush.

President Bush must have been waiting for a call and answered the phone before three rings had passed.

“It’s been a while since I contacted you. This is Minjae Kim.”

[Mr. Kim? Hehe, I didn’t know you would call me directly.]

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come see you in person.”

[Is there a need to talk face to face in this day and age? We just feel like a burden to each other for no reason. So, why did Mr. Kim call me directly?]

It was President Bush who still exuded a strong presence.

Although he was a former president, President Bush still had tremendous power.

I couldn’t tell someone like that directly to help me persuade Texas to stay.

Therefore, I brought up the topic of U.S. economic development and security, and continued the phone call with President Bush for over 30 minutes.