I Am the Third-Generation Heir of a Conglomerate - Chapter 434



Only Noblemtl

434. Prince’s Rebellion (4)

Patent disputes were occurring in various fields.

However, in the case of gene scissors patents, the structure was so complex that it was difficult to take anyone’s side.

“There are currently three research institutes in the process of a patent dispute. First, the main one is the Broad Institute, a joint venture between UC Berkeley, MIT, and Harvard University, each claiming that they own the patent.”

“As far as I know, the University of Berkeley first developed the gene scissors technology.”

CEO Seo Jeong-jun and Dr. Kim Jang-woo opened their eyes wide.

You probably didn’t think I’d know anything about gene scissors technology.

“Professor Janis of Berkeley University was the first to publish a paper on gene scissors technology.”

“The paper was published, but it is not yet patentable, so I guess the Broad Institute is fighting a patent dispute.”

“Yes. It is difficult to apply gene scissors based on papers alone. However, the Broad Institute claims that they have the patent because they have created a method that can actually use gene scissors.”

I understand why CEO Seo Jeong-jun frowned.

It was such a complicated story that just hearing the explanation made my back hurt.

“But you said first, right? Are there any other patent disputes?”

“A Korean university professor also registered a gene scissors technology patent around the same time. I don’t know about the US or Europe, but in Korea, it is very likely that a Korean university will secure a gene scissors technology patent.”

Korea University also showed outstanding performance in DNA research.

But I didn’t know that they had the technology to claim a patent for gene scissors technology.

“So, if Sentry wants to use the gene scissors technology, it has to negotiate with at least three companies.”

“Once the patent dispute is decided, we can sign a contract with the winning side. However, since the patent dispute started last year, it is expected to take at least five years for the decision to be made.”

“It will be very difficult to conclude a patent license agreement until the ruling is made.”

From Berkeley University, the Broad Institute, and Korea University.

In particular, in the case of Korean universities, it was a project carried out with government subsidies.

So, it was more likely that Korean patent rights would be awarded to researchers at Korean universities.

“Even if we wanted to use gene scissors technology, it’s unclear who we should contract with.”

“There is a way to untangle a complicated tangled thread in one go.”

“Is there such a way?”

“You can just cut it all off with scissors. Then, if you tie the thread neatly into a new skein, you can reduce the waste of time.”

“I have no idea what you plan to do.”

CEO Seo Jeong-jun tilted his head.

He had no idea what I meant by that.

“You said that three parties are currently in a patent dispute? Then we can buy all the patents they own. What could be easier than that?”

“Is it possible? It is not difficult to buy patents from companies, but it is a bit difficult for universities. In particular, Professor Janis and the Broad Institute faculty who first wrote the paper will never sell the patents.”

What can’t be done with money?

And the problem in America could have been solved very easily through David.

And we also held the card that captured the hearts of the professors.

“I will take care of the gene scissors patent-related matters myself. I will soon allow you to use the gene scissors technology to your heart’s content.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate you listening to my request, even though it was a difficult one. I will definitely repay your kindness by successfully developing a new drug.”

Dr. Kim Jang-woo expressed his gratitude with a childlike smile.

Dr. Jang-Woo Kim had such a strong desire to research and learn, and because he was leading Centrian’s research, the future of Centrian was very bright.

We were shaking hands and creating a very warm atmosphere.

Suddenly, CEO Seo Jeong-jun made a report that broke the mood.

“Robo Nordisk has sent us a letter of protest. They said that if we do not recognize some of Yugovin’s shares, they will proceed with a lawsuit.”

“Patent disputes are not someone else’s story. It looks like we’re going to be caught up in a patent lawsuit. But don’t worry. We will never lose Yugovin to Robo Nordisk.”

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“If I had really felt wronged, I would have filed a lawsuit a long time ago. Why would I send a protest letter that is nothing more than a meaningless threat? So you can ignore it.”

A dog that only barks is not scary.

Even if they suddenly rushed at us, we already had the dog leash in our hands, so all we had to do was pull.

***

After finishing my business trip to Sentry, I returned to headquarters.

I called David to get a patent on the gene scissors.

[Boss! I see you called at this hour, so I guess you have something for me to do.]

“Are you aware of the news about the gene scissors patent dispute?”

[I only know that the lawsuit was filed last year. But I heard that it was such a complicated case that they don’t know how it will end.]

“Shouldn’t people who are working hard to advance medicine for mankind not fight each other? So let’s buy the gene scissors patents held by Berkeley University and the Broad Institute and end the patent dispute.”

All gene scissors-related patents are gathered under the Taewoo Group.

If that happens, patent disputes will become meaningless.

Not only will we be able to use gene scissors technology freely, but other pharmaceutical companies or research institutes will have to pay us a fee to use gene scissors technology.

[It is possible through lobbying. But it costs a lot of money. The cost may be bigger than the cost. Is that okay?]

“It’s worth it, so it’s okay. And please offer the professors a joint research position and professorship at the Korean IIT for gene scissors technology. Tell them that you promise them at least three times their current salary and that you will provide unlimited support for the research they want.”

[I should do it because it’s what the boss tells me to do. But it seems like I’ll only end up losing money.]

Gene scissors technology was still undervalued.

Although the academic and medical communities were highly evaluating the potential of gene scissors technology, that was all.

But even after just a few years, the status of genetic scissors has changed.

What more can we say when gene-editing technology has even won a Nobel Prize?

Now could be seen as the right time to recruit not only patents but also professors at low prices.

Shouldn’t there be at least one Nobel Prize winner from Sentry?

This way, Sentryon’s status will rise further and it will be able to sell various new drugs, including Yugovin, better.

***

I watched TV with a vice chairman at the financial tower.

To be precise, it was a voting broadcast, and we were watching the results of the Brexit referendum, not the presidential or general election.

“Recent opinion polls have shown a split between those in favor of Brexit and those against it. Even yesterday’s poll showed a close result within the margin of error.”

“Why are you shaking your hands like that? Just sit back and watch, Brexit will definitely pass.”

“The amount of money spent on pre-Brexit preparations alone amounts to 300 trillion won. From shorting British companies, buying stocks of companies in neighboring countries, to attacking the euro. If Brexit does not pass, Taewoo Securities, as well as the entire financial tower, will suffer a huge blow.”

It was a vice president who raised his voice.

The Brexit sentiment was not known until the vote.

I told a positive story to a vice president who was fidgeting.

“If you look only at the opinion polls, it’s a close race, but if you look at the detailed indicators, Brexit has no choice but to pass.”

“Are you saying it’s because of the difference in active voters?”

“Yes. Opposition is strong among the elderly and conservative groups, which have high voter turnout. On the other hand, the supporters who are highly in favor are the youth and progressive groups.”

There was a formula that applied to all countries, not just Korea.

As people get older, their voter turnout increases, and as people get younger, they go to the polls less often.

This is by no means a formula to belittle the youth, but this trend occurs all over the world for a number of reasons.

“I know, but the gamblers also bet on Remain. What kind of people are gamblers? They don’t bet a penny on a losing battle. And yet they are giving us a 70% chance of remaining in the EU.”

“Now that the polls are closed, let’s just watch the polls.”

In a normal election, there would be exit polls.

But the Brexit referendum did not involve exit polls by broadcasters, instead polling agencies conducted forecast surveys using samples of 5,000 or 10,000 people.

“The results of the prediction survey are out!”

“How did it come out?”

The planning director had already received the results of the forecast survey and rushed into the office.

The results from three polling agencies were reported sequentially.

“In two places, the Remain vote was higher at 54% and 52%. And in the place where the survey was conducted with the largest sample of 10,000 people, the Leave vote was higher at 52%.”

I swallowed without realizing it.

I told Vice President Han to calm down, but when I received the results of the predictive survey, I started to feel nervous.

“It was a really close result.”

“Both polling agencies say that remaining is more advantageous. Shouldn’t we take action now?”

“What difference would it make if we took action now? Ultimately, we will only know when the election results are officially announced.”

It was an operation that cost hundreds of trillions of won.

It wasn’t like we could dramatically reduce the damage by moving rashly now.

We had to wait patiently because even the profits we would have made if Brexit had passed could have been lost.

“They say it will take about 10 hours to complete the counting.”

“Until then, get some shut-eye in the break room.”

“Are you worried that you won’t be able to sleep? I’ll go to the sauna and get some rest before I come back.”

One vice president looked anxious, gnawing on his fingernails.

It was completely different from the Korean presidential election.

In the Korean presidential election, candidate Choi Jae-seok had the upper hand, and even if he was not elected, the damage to the Taewoo Group would not be that great.

But Brexit was different.

Since Taewoo Securities and the entire financial tower had bet a huge amount of money, if Brexit were not passed, they could have to recoup all the profits they had made so far from the oil war and short selling on China.

I spent my time so anxiously.

As the closing time approached, a vice president came into the office and waited for the vote counting results, still looking anxious.

About 30 minutes had passed like that.

The election results have finally been announced.

[Leave EU: 51.9%, Remain EU: 48.1%]

“Whoaaaa! Brexit passed!”

“Whew, so this is the result.”

“Okay! Okay!”

The cheers of one vice president were the starting point.

All the employees of the financial tower, who were anxiously waiting for the vote counting results, cheered.

What’s the point of shouting when you’ve won a game where you’ve bet a huge amount of money?

“Phew.”

Everyone cheered, but I sighed.

Fortunately, the course of history does not change.

I was worried that my actions so far could have a butterfly effect that could overturn the Brexit result, but fortunately, this time, what I was worried about did not happen.