Surgery Godfather-Chapter 477 - 434: Red Flowers Still Need Green Leaves For Support
Chapter 477: Chapter 434: Red Flowers Still Need Green Leaves For Support
After his surgery, Yang Ping returned on time to his department, accompanied by Professor Qin from 301, Professor Hu from Xiehe Hospital, and others.
These days, they spent their time together discussing a special case—scoliosis combined with visceral deformity misplacement. The rest of their time was spent on the trial production of the external spinal fixation frame.
Only when the sample trial production is successful can they proceed to animal experiments, then to clinical trials, and finally actually enter clinical use.
Professor Qin took the initiative to contact several domestic manufacturers. Out of respect for Professor Qin, they readily agreed, only to subsequently express difficulties. The key technologies, materials, and processes involved all have insurmountable obstacles. Even with a significant investment, breakthroughs might prove difficult.
These manufacturers suggested that the best approach is to cooperate with giants like Johnson & Johnson, Jiemai, Stryker, etc., who are the only ones capable of producing the required key materials and processes.
The giants of various industries have established technological barriers over a long period of continuous accumulation. These technological barriers cannot be crossed in a short period.
Because technological research and development require an investment in talent and funds, much of the domestic businesses have a disdainful attitude towards this aspect.
Very few companies are willing to spend time and money on breaking these barriers. By imitating and cooperating with the giants to make some money, who would want to take the risk and effort? Just one erroneous decision could mean failure.
Moreover, for certain high-tech products, these giants are willing to supply as long as there’s money involved. Let the giants eat meat while these manufacturers sip soup - it’s still better to sip the soup peacefully than to mess up the pot altogether.
After weighing the pros and cons, Yang Ping decided to use the exclusive patent licensing as a bargaining chip to attract several giants to cooperate. During the cooperation, they would exchange technology and include some domestic enterprises to grow together.
However, the effect was not obvious. Only Johnson & Johnson showed genuine interest. In reality, this was due to Gan Fengyi’s intervention.
Huang Jiacai and Xiao Ma had been waiting in the meeting room for a long time. After Professor Qin and Professor Hu went to the ward for a round, Yang Ping summoned Huang Jiacai and Xiao Ma to his office.
Seeing Yang Ping, Xiao Ma explained why Gan Fengyi did not personally attend the meeting. She also gave a copy of the data to Yang Ping and quickly excused herself: "President Gan instructed that I should leave as soon as I delivered the data to you and not participate in the meeting."
This Gan Fengyi was strange. She didn’t attend in person, sent a subordinate to forward the information, and did not allow her to participate in the meeting.
Yang Ping sat down and flipped through the plan. The technical details in it were very detailed, something that a sales manager could not deliver.
Huang Jiacai was also puzzled: "The technical details here are too specific. I’m afraid that even ordinary engineers cannot do this. Look, regarding the nickel-titanium memory alloy, she explicitly mentioned seeking the cooperation of a certain professor from Northwestern Polytechnical University in order to meet our requirements. She even provided his name, address, and contact information. She was clear. In China, only this professor’s laboratory has hope to produce materials that satisfy our requirements."
This nickel-titanium shape memory alloy rod is one of the crucial technologies. It must have a wide range of shape memory and its duration needs to be long, so it’s extremely difficult to achieve.
"Since Johnson & Johnson is willing to cooperate, they surely have ways to procure the materials from Europe and America. Then why guide us to cooperate with Northwestern Polytechnical University? I don’t know why she gave me this data," said Huang Jiacai, who was clueless about what had happened.
Normally, in such a project, Ruixing is a competitor of Johnson & Johnson, it is unlikely to give important business secrets to a competitor, even if the three parties finally cooperate, it’s not the time to disclose these secrets.
Yang Ping didn’t have much contact with Gan Fengyi. The most frequent contacts were recently during this project. After Yang Ping introduced the project, among the several international giants, only Johnson & Johnson contacted them. The others didn’t make any moves.
On careful thought, it does make sense to Yang Ping. If it’s an ordinary apparatus, any company could cooperate. The trial production of this set of equipment costs tens of millions just for the mold, and at present, there is no experimental data to support it. No company would dare to partner rashly.
Also, judging the future value of this apparatus is a real test of the manufacturer’s discernment. With new things, only a few people can discern their true value.
"Doctor Yang, there is only one possibility. Johnson & Johnson’s cooperation with you was a unilateral act by Johnson & Johnson China. In a rush for time, they connected with you first and then reported back to its headquarters. Because the follow-up investment would not just be millions but billions of US dollars, and a project of this scale isn’t something that Johnson & Johnson China could decide. It would need approval from the US headquarters. I suppose there was some issue in the process, which is why Gan Fengyi handed over the information to us," analyzed Huang Jiacai.
"If this apparatus becomes a success, the subsequent iterations will be even smoother and potentially control the direction of an industry. I really hope domestic businesses could take over and keep core technological industries in China," Yang Ping realized the potential value of his apparatus which could guide the entire scoliosis orthopedic technology direction.
But understanding that himself was pointless, others needed to understand it too.
In the case of the previous child anterolateral ligament reconstruction device, he had to sell it to the American company out of necessity for cash.
Moreover, the equipment was an improvement on existing technology, which was easy to judge based on maturity. But this external spinal fixation frame was a paradigm shift from existing technology, and most manufacturers might lack confidence about its maturity.
All of Yang Ping’s data was obtained in the system space laboratory, and real-world animal experiments hadn’t even started yet. Without sufficient data to support it, it’s hard for manufacturers to make a decision since their decision-making processes rely on data.
"If Ruixing were not in trouble, we could go full tilt in assisting you,"
Huang Jiacai was very distressed, as Ruixing was in internal and external predicaments, on the brink of collapse and totally unsure about how long it could last. He could only try to help Yang Ping find other manufacturers.
"Dr. Yang, I think we should have our own medical equipment factory. I have an idea," Huang Jiacai took a turn in his conversation.
"What’s that?" Yang Ping wanted to hear his opinion because Huang Jiacai knew more about business matters.
"Given the current situation of Ruixing, it cannot escape being sold at a low price. Soon, foreign buyers who intend to purchase it should emerge. If Dr. Yang can support me, I would like to acquire Ruixing," Huang Jiacai confidently said.
Yang Ping had also thought about having his own medical equipment factory, but it is a distant solution to an immediate need. Establishing a medical device company takes a lot of time due to various approvals required.
But acquiring a company is different. A buyout is tantamount to entering twice the results with half the effort.
Currently, Yang Ping has only $80 million obtained from the United States, which is more than 500 million RMB. Considering the funds reserved for stem cell experiment, it probably won’t be enough to acquire Ruixing.
"How can I assist you?" Yang Ping looked at Huang Jiacai, who seemed confident of his plan.
"Provide the capital, only need four billion, I can make Dr. Yang the largest shareholder of Ruixing and avoid it from falling into foreign hands." Huang Jiacai shared his thoughts. freewebnøvel.coɱ
If he could take over Ruixing, he could control a medical equipment company. With Huang Jiacai’s help, it would be very beneficial to connect the factory with the laboratory for the transformation of future scientific research results on equipment.
Medical equipment, when compared to medicines, has a faster conversion speed and higher efficiency. Once the medical equipment generates profits, it can contribute to basic research, for instance, research on cultivating muscle from stem cells, creating a positive feedback loop in scientific research.
This is what Yang Ping longs for. But because he is a doctor, focusing on medicine, he has no interest or expertise in business matters.
"Once you have this company, you will have absolute controlling shares. I will let you be the CEO. Believe me, I can manage the company well. Dr. Yang, a peony needs its leaves for support. If Dr. Yang sees value in me, Huang Jiacai is willing to serve as these supporting leaves. There are many things you will need to do in the future and these all need money. From treating Sisi’s condition to stem cell cultivation of muscle, if you trust me, I am willing to share these burdens and make Ruixing a powerful financial backup for you," Huang Jiacai stood up, bowed to Yang Ping and then extended his hand.
Despite the fact that Ruixing is a small company and is currently on shaky ground, Huang Jiacai has still managed to stabilize the morale of the South China branch and compete against international giants like Johnson & Johnson.
While at Sanbo, Huang Jiacai could only stand firm under the protection of Yang Ping’s wings. However, during the battle with Johnson & Johnson’s Gan Fengyi in the South China region, he held his ground, not losing out in the slightest. Giants like Jiemai Meibang, Shi Lehui, and Stryker have been continually losing their market shares to his various stunning market maneuvers, both overt and covert, forcing them to retreat one after another.
A small division of a small company, yet he managed it very well, establishing such a strong market position.
Having been acquainted with Huang Jiacai for a while now, Yang Ping knows him well. This man is highly intelligent and very appreciative. He’s been headhunted by many other companies, but in his gratitude, he was unwilling to leave Ruixing. Even when he was previously marginalized and suppressed, he remained unyielding and dedicated to expanding the market for Ruixing.
This man is dependable!
Yang Ping shook his hand: "You have a free hand, but I can only provide four billion, not a penny more. I do not understand business, nor do I wish to get involved in it. I just want to be a doctor."
Huang Jiacai smiled: "I understand, thank you for your trust, Dr. Yang. I am fully confident that I can take over Ruixing, and then, leaning on Ruixing, do great things with you."
"Sit down and talk!" Yang Ping sat down.
Huang Jiacai felt a little excited, he was confident that he could persuade Yang Ping, but he did not expect him to agree so readily.
"Dr. Yang, I have decided to take a trip to Gan Fengyi’s hometown to investigate Johnson & Johnson’s situation. Then I will head to Ruixing’s headquarters in Shanghai to talk to the shareholders."
"You go busy yourself. The matter of the spinal external fixator trial production is fully entrusted to you."
After thinking for a bit, Huang Jiacai said: "We should prioritize partnering with domestic enterprises as this project can drive the technological development of other companies. If it fails, we actually have a back-up plan that can force these giants to cooperate."
"Force?" Yang Ping was curious.
Huang Jiacai calmly said: "Indeed, Dr. Yang, imagine this scenario. If Professor Liang from Xiehe, Professor Qin from 301, Professor Su from Nandu Affiliated Hospital One, and Professor Fu from Huaxi all sit together, hoping that one of the giants will cooperate with you, how will things proceed?"
"In the field of orthopedics, no manufacturer can ignore any of these professors. If several professors sit together, they can squeeze the lifeblood of these companies in the Chinese market, making them immobile," Huang Jiacai grinned.
This guy is ruthless! But he’s correct.
Huang Jiacai continued: "However, this is a backup plan and it should not be used until the last step. If really used, it will cause a tremendous stir. But if Dr. Yang is determined to achieve the trial production goal while retaining control of the key technology, and all other methods are not possible, we will not think twice about causing an uproar."
This guy is indeed suited to handle big things. Not only is he smart, but he’s also brave.
"Yes, this can only be a backup plan. Proceed with your tasks as quickly as possible. Tell me when you need the money," Yang Ping handed these tasks to him, which greatly eased his burden. Recently, Professor Qin and Director Hu have also been contacting manufacturers, but they are professors and they do not have the expertise of Huang Jiacai.
"I will immediately find out where Gan Fengyi’s hometown is and set off tomorrow," Huang Jiacai stood up to take his leave.
In the information age, can’t he just make a phone call to ask for information? Why does he need to go to her hometown in person?
Yang Ping doesn’t understand the feud between Gan Fengyi and Huang Jiacai, but either way, he doesn’t have the time to dwell on it.
