Centurion New Drug Development Lab
I met with CEO Seo Jeong-jun and Dr. Kim Jang-woo in the new drug development lab.
"How is the new drug development progressing?"
"It's not exactly a 'new' drug. The formulation and production process are already well known, so there aren't any major difficulties. Especially with Dr. Kim Jang-woo here and the use of artificial intelligence for multiple simulations, we can complete it very quickly."
Centurion couldn't exactly be called a large pharmaceutical company.
It didn't rank in the top ten even within Korea, and on a global scale, it was relatively small.
But in terms of technological capability, it was by no means lacking.
Of course, compared to pharmaceutical companies with decades of accumulated experience, it had its shortcomings.
Yet, by being among the first to adopt cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, it was growing rapidly in a different direction.
"So, as long as you know how to make it, producing a generic drug isn't difficult."
"Exactly. Artificial intelligence is especially useful for manufacturing generics. We can run tens of thousands of simulations in a week, which drastically reduces trial and error."
"So producing insulin shouldn't take too long either. You can start development today. Since Robo Nordisk is transferring their production technology and know-how, there shouldn't be any major problems."
CEO Seo Jeong-jun stared at me speechlessly.
Even Dr. Kim Jang-woo, who had been quietly listening beside him, couldn't keep his mouth shut.
"D-did you really secure the insulin production rights?"
"Yes, we've secured the rights to produce and sell in the Asian region. And we've also signed a contract so that if Robo Nordisk succeeds in developing a new drug, Centurion will have the rights to produce and sell that drug as well."
"You mean the new drug too… ····that's an enormous responsibility."
CEO Seo Jeong-jun was, after all, a seasoned executive.
He knew exactly how much money it would take to secure the insulin and new drug production rights.
Hearing that Centurion would be backed with astronomical funds, he felt the weight on his shoulders.
"There's no need to feel burdened. If you continue to lead Centurion as well as you are now, that's more than enough."
"I'll succeed in producing insulin as quickly as possible."
"Even if you succeed in producing insulin, you'll still need specialized facilities and equipment for mass production. Taewoo Group will cover those costs as well."
"No, Centurion's own funds are sufficient to secure the facilities and equipment. Thanks to the revenue boost from Tamiflu, it's entirely possible."
"If there's ever a shortfall, just let me know. I'll provide support anytime."
This would mark Korea's first insulin manufacturer.
A new achievement for Centurion, one that would increase its value by at least double.
"How about recruiting talent from Indian pharmaceutical companies through IIT? I hear India has quite a few experts skilled in insulin production."
"If you provide a list, I'll recruit them as quickly as possible. Offering high salaries and even IIT professorships should be enough to secure the talent."
Dr. Kim Jang-woo's opinion was not wrong.
India had an abundance of outstanding talent in mathematics, engineering, IT, and pharmaceuticals, particularly experts in insulin production.
"I'll prepare the list and send it to you by the end of today. I've also heard that they've developed a new method for producing insulin over there."
"Of course, we must recruit talent like that."
Insulin could be produced through more than one method.
Since various pharmaceutical companies were developing diabetes treatments in different ways, there was no reason Centurion couldn't do the same.
"Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. I'll work even harder to meet your expectations."
"I'm investing because I trust you, CEO Seo. Just continue the way you have been."
CEO Seo Jeong-jun bowed 90 degrees in respect.
I patted him on the shoulder, and with that, I left the new drug development lab.
**
Thursday, two days before the business trip to the U.S.
Today, I visited the Taewoo IT building, not the main headquarters, to meet Team Leader Cheon Min-jung before leaving for America.
"You've been very busy lately, haven't you?"
"With so many new staff added, there isn't much I have to do personally. I just review results, suggest corrections, or provide direction for projects."
Most office workers try to make sure their contributions are noticed.
But Cheon Min-jung did the opposite—she tried to hide the work she did.
It was a well-intentioned lie, meant to prevent any mishaps that might occur if people knew she was overloaded with tasks.
"If there's time, can I assign you a new project? It's nothing too grand—more like playing with a new toy."
"A new toy is always welcome. What kind of toy are we talking about?"
"Think of it as a heavy equipment toy. Soon, Taewoo Group will be acquiring a construction machinery company called Bobcat."
Cheon Min-jung's interest piqued at the mention of construction machinery.
It was a completely different field from what she had been working on, which made it fascinating to her.
"What would you like me to do?"
"Bobcat produces construction and small-scale machinery. Imagine how fun it could be to apply autonomous driving or remote control systems to their machines."
"By removing the cockpit from heavy machinery and adding an autonomous system, the size could be much smaller. And for dangerous tasks, you wouldn't even need a person on board."
Just as I expected, she got interested.
She excitedly unleashed a torrent of ideas that came to her mind.
"And this also ties into the factory automation project you're working on. Apply autonomous driving algorithms to small machinery so it can work on its own. If applied in warehouses or factories, it could be on the level of an industrial revolution, don't you think?"
"I've already been developing AI for factory automation. I just need to integrate it with an autonomous driving system!"
Taewoo Group had invested more in factory automation than any other company.
They applied technologies already used by Amazon and had also developed and implemented many systems internally.
Yet, factories still required a large number of employees, and dangerous accidents happened whenever there was an opportunity.
What if small machinery could handle the risky tasks instead?
It would completely prevent casualties from safety accidents.
And in the long term, it would also reduce labor costs.
"Form a research team and start the project. You can recruit as many people as you need."
"Then can I select people from Taewoo IT, Taewoo Automotive, and Rocket, and also involve graduate students from IIT in this project?"
"Yes, you can include external personnel as well. Proceed as freely as you want."
"Thank you! This is going to be so much fun!"
Cheon Min-jung practically bounced with excitement.
Bobcat, autonomous driving, and AI integration.
Depending on Cheon Min-jung's abilities, the company they acquired for 5 trillion won could become worth 50 trillion won.
**
Dallas–Fort Worth Airport.
The largest airport in Texas and the third largest in the world.
As soon as we arrived, the warm air felt welcoming compared to Korea's cold winter.
"Boss! I'll escort you from here."
"You always come out to the airport—why don't you wait at the hotel?"
"If the boss is coming, of course I must come greet him."
Guided by David, Chairman Han and I headed to the hotel.
Once we reached the hotel, David heaved a frustrated sigh.
"Phew! Most of the Texas influencers have been convinced. But there's one man I still can't persuade."
"He must be someone you can't just let slide, huh?"
"He owns land in key areas. If we can't win him over, the shale gas project can't proceed properly."
David took out the materials he'd prepared and showed them to us.
An elderly man wearing a cowboy hat that screamed Texas.
At a glance he looked strict and conservative.
"Even without seeing the materials, he looks like a die-hard Republican supporter. Did you try leveraging political connections?"
"We tried deploying politicians based in Texas, but it didn't work. Even offering enormous sums, he refuses. At the moment, we have no clear way to approach him."
"Austin Connolly. If we can win him over, we'll be ready."
I stared intently at Austin's photo.
A variety of detailed information flickered before my eyes, and I could extract some useful insights.
"So it's not completely impossible. But David will have to put in some serious effort."
"I can endure any hardship as long as I can convince Austin!"
David seemed to have suffered at Austin's hands more than once.
He had tackled every problem—on Wall Street, in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Nothing had escaped him.
And yet, the fact that he couldn't persuade a local Texan was bruising his pride.
"We'll need the help of the most influential person in Texas."
"Who are you referring to?"
"Wouldn't President Bush's word carry weight?"
The 43rd President of the United States.
Before his presidency, he had served as Governor of Texas and had even owned a baseball team there.
The biggest political figure rooted in Texas was former President Bush.
"Isn't using such a powerful card just to persuade one local a bit overkill?"
"It may be overkill, but it's also the surest card we have. Is your line to former President Bush still active?"
"I still have a direct line."
"Still, calling him directly for something like this would be improper. Use a Republican congressman to convey that we want to meet, and then place the call."
"I'll do it immediately."
David pulled out his phone.
To the outside eye, it looked like an ordinary cellphone.
But it was beyond even a golden phone—it could easily be called a diamond phone.
It was the only phone containing the direct contacts of political and financial figures across the United States.
"Boss! I've reached out to President Bush through a Republican congressman. He says it's okay to call now."
"Already? It hasn't even been half an hour, and you've already made contact?"
David shrugged his shoulders.
It was a gesture that seemed to emphasize: he may have failed to persuade the Texas local, but his own skills were still very much alive.
"We can't keep a former president waiting. Call him immediately."
"No, I'll do it myself. Just enter the number."
Brrring!
I pressed the call button and contacted President Bush.
He picked up the phone before the third ring, as if he had been expecting the call.
"Long time no speak. This is Kim Min-jae."
[Mr. Kim? Haha, I didn't expect you to call personally.]
"I apologize for not being able to meet you in person."
[In this day and age, is it really necessary to meet face-to-face? It just makes things awkward. So, Mr. Kim, why are you calling me directly?]
President Bush still radiated a strong presence.
Though he was a former president, his power remained formidable.
I couldn't bluntly ask him to help persuade the Texas local.
So instead, I brought up topics about U.S. economic development and national security, and the call with President Bush lasted for over thirty minutes.