Chapter Summaries

After Sanqing Group settled its patent lawsuit with the Broad Institute, the 25% licensing rate triggered industry alarm and public outrage. Wei Kang learned that the Thalassemia Gene Drug had received expedited domestic approval, and he resolved to lead Sanqing against its opponents.

• After Sanqing Group and the Broad Institute settled out of court, Zheng Feng reassured other biotech companies that they would not face Sanqing’s 25% licensing rate.
• Chinese netizens condemned the Broad Institute and Zheng Feng online, debated the patent dispute’s impact, and called for domestic gene-editing tools.
• Wei Kang received word that the Thalassemia Gene Drug had passed review and could launch domestically the next day.
• Wei Kang suspected the Broad Institute’s actions were part of pressure connected to Super Soybean and resolved to make Sanqing strong enough to deter future attacks.

Sanqing Group refunded Thalassemia patients after cutting the gene drug’s price in half, while Zheng Feng discovered that the Broad Institute had received only $125,000 in patent fees. The chapter ended with Zheng Feng learning that Three Purities planned to keep profits low for years.

• Bart feared he could not afford his treatment until Sanqing Group called to announce a 50 percent discount and refunded him $75,000.
• Other Thalassemia patients received refunds, prompting new patients to seek treatment, but doctors said the queue had grown beyond a thousand people and wait times were three years.
• Zheng Feng checked the Broad Institute’s account on the patent-fee deadline and found a payment of only $125,000 from Three Purities.
• Zheng Feng’s subordinate explained that the fee reflected roughly 200 treatments and low reported profits, and said Three Purities expected profits to rise only after costs were recovered.
• Zheng Feng nearly fainted when he heard Three Purities had told the institute to wait several years to earn more.

Zheng Feng found that Three Purities had structured the Thalassemia Gene Drug’s pricing to leave little patent profit, while Wei Kang secured a friendlier CRISPR licensing deal with the University of California team. Wei Kang and Jian Lianyun enjoyed their growing relationship until he learned the Broad Institute had abandoned its settlement and filed suit against Three Purities.

• Zheng Feng examined Three Purities’ low reported profit and went to seek a new strategy from his mentor, Durand.
• Three Purities launched its Thalassemia Gene Drug in China and agreed with the University of California team to pay patent fees when sales reached specified milestones.
• Wei Kang explained to Jian Lianyun that he had accepted losses in Eagle Country to resist the Broad Institute, relying on the China and Europa markets instead.
• Wei Kang and Jian Lianyun shared a meal and spent a quiet evening together, keeping their relationship mostly private.
• Yang Haoran called Wei Kang to report that the Broad Institute had withdrawn from its settlement and filed a lawsuit, though negotiation remained possible at a high cost.

Three Purities and the Broad Institute resumed patent negotiations after the Institute demanded an upfront $50 million fee and steep royalties, threatening a multibillion-dollar lawsuit. Wei Kang suspected the lawsuit was mainly leverage and ordered Yang Haoran to keep negotiating and bargain down the price, leaving the talks to his team.

• Zheng Feng accused Three Purities of using its patent fees to fund patient discounts, and the Broad Institute's lawyer demanded $50 million upfront, 20 percent of net Eagle Country sales, and threatened a $2 billion lawsuit.
• Yang Haoran and Three Purities' lawyer objected to the demands, while the Broad Institute's lawyer cited its Pfizer deal and argued that patent infringement penalties could exceed $2 billion.
• After Three Purities' lawyer warned that Eagle Country courts could impose severe damages, Yang Haoran and the legal team urged Wei Kang to settle rather than risk litigation.
• Wei Kang questioned why the Broad Institute kept negotiating if it was certain to win, concluding that it wanted money without forcing Three Purities' drug out of the Eagle Country market.
• Wei Kang told Yang Haoran to prolong the negotiations and drive the price down, then left his team to continue the talks.

Wei Kang realized the Broad Institute and Pfizer might be preparing to use Three Purities’ clinical progress to enter the Thalassemia Gene Drug market, and decided to withdraw from Eagle Country. Before he could act, Tang Que reported discovering a new gene-editing protease, while Zheng Feng ordered settlement talks stopped and a patent lawsuit filed after Pfizer’s drug showed promising trial results.

• Wei Kang suspected the Broad Institute and Pfizer were collaborating to develop a Thalassemia Gene Drug using Three Purities’ work, so he decided to pull out of the Eagle Country market and fight them.
• Tang Que called Wei Kang to announce that Three Purities had discovered a new gene-editing protease, and Wei Kang rushed to the Gene Laboratory.
• Dostan presented Pfizer executives with a Thalassemia Gene Drug made using technology from the Broad Institute, and reported that treated cells had produced normal hemoglobin.
• Zheng Feng learned Pfizer’s first patient trial had succeeded and celebrated the drug’s potential market value.
• Zheng Feng ordered his subordinate to suspend settlement negotiations with Three Purities and immediately file a patent infringement lawsuit.

Broad Institute sued Sanqing Group for patent infringement, forcing it to halt Thalassemia Gene Drug sales in Eagle Country and disrupting patients’ treatment. Broad Institute and Pfizer then announced their own drug, while Chinese netizens rallied behind Sanqing.

• CNN reported that Broad Institute demanded up to $2 billion from Sanqing and sought to stop its commercial use of the disputed technology.
• The FDA ordered Yang Haoran to stop Sanqing’s Eagle Country sales and submit patient records, while patients had appointments canceled and ongoing treatment suspended.
• A patient protested being denied Sanqing’s drug, and Thalassemia patients gathered outside FDA headquarters.
• Zheng Feng and Dostan announced that Broad Institute and Pfizer were jointly developing a Thalassemia Gene Drug and invited patients to apply for clinical trials.
• Eagle Country patients returned home to seek Pfizer’s trial treatment, while Chinese netizens condemned the move and sent messages of support to Sanqing and Wei Kang.

Zheng Feng reconciled with Dr. Dudna by offering to share the CRISPR patent, but secured her support for revoking Sanqing Group’s licenses and blocking its commercial research. Sanqing Group faced a new lawsuit in China as the conflict with the Broad Institute escalated.

• Zheng Feng offered Dr. Dudna shared ownership of the CRISPR patent in exchange for revoking Sanqing Group’s license and joining forces with him.
• Zheng Feng revealed that Dr. Carpenti had agreed to the plan after being persuaded by Margarita Louis Dreyfus, and Dr. Dudna accepted the proposed partnership after negotiating its terms.
• Several days later, Zheng Feng announced that his team and Dr. Dudna’s team would jointly own the CRISPR patent and revoke Sanqing Group’s licenses for commercial development.
• Zheng Feng filed a lawsuit against Sanqing Group in China, leaving the company under attack from both sides.

Wei Kang learned that Tang Que had developed a precise, versatile gene-editing tool from an ancient Antarctic bacterium and used it to create a Thalassemia gene drug suitable for direct injection. After Sanqing faced a patent-infringement lawsuit intended to delay the drug’s launch, Wei Kang set the summons aside and prepared to fight.

• Tang Que told Wei Kang that his team had discovered a powerful gene-editing protease in the Original Long Rod Bacterium, an ancient Antarctic microbe.
• Tang Que explained that the protease enabled precise, efficient editing and could be adapted to treat Thalassemia without requiring bone marrow transplantation.
• Tang Que said Sanqing had created a new Thalassemia gene drug that performed well in cell experiments and could be injected directly into patients.
• Tang Que worried that Sanqing might use its patent to impose excessive fees, and Wei Kang assured him that the company would not follow the Broad Institute’s example.
• Wei Kang returned to his office and found that the University of California team’s domestic branch had sued Sanqing in Kun City over its Thalassemia gene drug.
• Wei Kang dismissed the summons and declared that he was ready for a fight.

During a live interview, Zheng Feng lost his composure when Sanqing announced a new gene-editing technology that bypassed CRISPR patents, forcing him to retreat from his attacks. In China, Li Han canceled a paid smear campaign and ordered his team to promote Sanqing instead.

• Zheng Feng told Kelly that Sanqing had infringed on CRISPR patents and promoted Pfizer's new thalassemia drug during their interview.
• Kelly confronted Zheng Feng with Sanqing's announcement of a Fourth Generation Gene Editing Technology and its upgraded thalassemia drug, leaving him stunned.
• Kelly read Wei's declaration, “Nǐ yào zhàn, nà biàn zhàn!”, and pressed Zheng Feng about the coming conflict; Zheng Feng denied any war and ended the interview.
• Li Han watched Sanqing's announcement and stopped his team from launching the overseas-funded smear campaign.
• Li Han ordered his team to return the deposit, expose the client's scheme, and publish praise for Sanqing.

Three Purities countered the Broad Institute’s patent lawsuits with antitrust cases and threatened to withdraw its medicines from Eagle Country after the FDA rejected its application. The Broad Institute withdrew its lawsuit, but Durand secretly pursued a patent bill designed to block Three Purities’ new technology from competing in Eagle Country.

• Three Purities won jurisdiction in Kun City and had its patent infringement claim dismissed, then filed patent abuse and antitrust suits against the Broad Institute in Eagle Country.
• The FDA rejected Three Purities’ application for its Thalassemia Gene Drug, so Three Purities announced it would suspend sales of its medicines in Eagle Country; patients and influential customers protested the decision.
• Wei Kang told Pfizer’s Andre that Three Purities could end their anticancer drug partnership, prompting Andre to promise to seek support for fair treatment and express interest in licensing Three Purities’ gene-editing technology.
• Durand advised Zheng Feng to stop fighting the old patent battle, then revealed plans for a bill that would restrict foreign patent applications and prioritize university patents to hinder Three Purities’ new technology.
• The Broad Institute withdrew its patent lawsuit, and Three Purities made no further comment as people around the world reacted to the sudden end of the dispute.

Wang De presented Syngenta’s plan to expand Super Soybean cultivation in Feizhou, starting with a guaranteed-purchase agreement in Tanzania. After signing the contract, he traveled to Ethiopia, where Jemol and other African Union agriculture ministers awaited him.

• Wang De told Syngenta executives that Three Purities’ gene-editing technology cleared patent barriers and that Super Soybean could help China diversify its soybean imports through Feizhou.
• Wang De and the executives discussed developing the Tanzanian market with COFCO, using Chinese funding and technology and Super Soybean seeds adapted to the region.
• Kendam rejected Bunge’s request to negotiate, citing its unpaid compensation for an earlier breached soybean contract, and prepared to welcome the Chinese delegation.
• Kendam received Wang De and the Syngenta and COFCO representatives, and the parties signed a tripartite agreement for Tanzanian farmers to grow Super Soybeans for guaranteed purchase.
• Wang De traveled to Ethiopia, where Jemol and a group of African Union agriculture ministers greeted him and expressed anticipation for Super Soybean.

After China opened genetically modified crop cultivation, Wang De recognized an opportunity to supply Bear Country, whose seed imports were threatened by Western sanctions. He hosted Bear Country seed representatives at Syngenta’s production base, where they inspected Super Seeds and negotiated a large discounted order.

• China approved genetic safety certificates for multiple crop varieties and opened genetically modified crop cultivation, prompting a surge of investment in the seed industry.
• After Bayer halted seed sales to Bear Country and neighboring nations, Wang De welcomed the news as an opportunity for Syngenta.
• Wang De led Zelny and Bear Country seed-company representatives through Syngenta’s displays and experimental fields, where they examined Super Seeds suited to their needs.
• Zelny praised the seeds and negotiated a discounted bulk purchase with Wang De, who also offered rapid delivery and potential grain purchase orders through COFCO Group.

Syngenta secured a huge fertilizer contract from agricultural companies in Samba Country and Argentina, using its supply links with Bear Country to profit from global shortages. The four major grain merchants accepted that their companies would keep buying supplies through Syngenta, then agreed to target Three Purities’ generic medicines in Feizhou.

• Wang De won a large, long-term fertilizer contract from trade delegations representing agricultural companies in Samba Country and Argentina, alongside interest in Super Seeds.
• Wang De arranged to resell Bear Country fertilizer through Syngenta, filling Latin American demand after Bear Country and White-Haired Country’s exports were disrupted.
• Wallace, Margarita, Patricia, and Bunge’s chief executive officer argued over their companies’ losses in Bear Country and Feizhou, then acknowledged that Latin American subsidiaries had bought fertilizer and seeds from Syngenta.
• Patricia proposed keeping those purchases quiet, and the other executives agreed to continue buying supplies despite possible sanctions.
• Margarita proposed using influence over Feizhou’s generic-medicine procurement to target Three Purities, and Wallace offered his cousin’s international connections to help.

Zhang Chunming traveled to Kenya to bid Three Purities’ generic medicines, but discovered that WHO had removed the company from its prequalified medicines list and blocked its tender entry. After learning the review would take at least six months, Wei Kang ordered Three Purities to withdraw its application and stop dealing with NGOs.

• Zhang Chunming met his Kenyan agent Taji and prepared Three Purities’ bid, confident its WHO prequalification and medicine quality would satisfy the tender organizers.
• Taji explained how locals diluted Three Purities’ painkillers in cough syrup, and Zhang Chunming was stunned by the improvised use.
• A tender official rejected Zhang Chunming’s presentation, claiming Three Purities had been removed from the WHO prequalified medicines list.
• Zhang Chunming checked the WHO website, confirmed the removal, and went to the WHO office in Kenya for an explanation.
• A WHO representative said Three Purities had missing documentation, would need another on-site review within six months, and could not use its previous review results meanwhile.
• Wei Kang told Zhang Chunming to withdraw the application, seek a refund, avoid NGOs, and rely on Chinese aid organizations, public institutions, and Three Purities’ own charitable foundation.

After the WHO rejected Sanqing’s drugs, Wei Kang redirected the company toward other sales channels, and Zhang Chunming helped its medicines gain a strong reputation in Feizhou. That reputation helped secure the release of three kidnapped Chinese men, who returned safely after Sanqing supplied their captors with medicine.

• Wei Kang withdrew Sanqing’s drugs from the WHO process, and Zhang Chunming obtained refunds and sought ways to sell the medicines through government cooperation and pharmacies.
• Zhang Chunming expanded Sanqing’s sales in Feizhou through local representatives and the popularity of medicines used by China’s medical aid teams.
• A subordinate told Zhang Chunming that three Chinese men had been taken in Zhongfei Country and that their captors demanded Sanqing medicines instead of money.
• Zhang Chunming arranged for Sanqing to donate some medicines and provide others at cost, then sent the shipment to Zhongfei Capital.
• Zhu Shan and the two other men reunited with their relatives and friends after the captors inspected the medicines and drove away with the truck.
• Zhu Shan explained that the captors had treated them well because they needed medicines, and the group expressed pride in Sanqing and China.

After Three Purities gained popularity in Feizhou, Taji uncovered that a Western charity clinic was distributing expired medicines and practicing medicine illegally. The scandal led Kenyan authorities to investigate Western clinics, while Sanqing gained new government orders and Taji expanded his distribution network.

• News of the hostage incident boosted Three Purities' reputation among Chinese people in Feizhou and across China, satisfying Wei Kang.
• Taji visited a Humanitarian Foundation clinic in Nairobi for stomach pain and received a bag of irrelevant medicines, all of which had expired years earlier.
• Taji reported the clinic, and officials discovered it had no medical license and was distributing expired medicines.
• Kenyan authorities detained clinic staff, shut down the facility, and began investigating Western charity clinics across the country.
• Public institutions reduced purchases from implicated pharmaceutical factories and increased procurement from Sanqing, while Kenyans turned to Chinese medical aid organizations.
• Taji expanded his pharmacy distribution channels as Wei Kang learned of the scandal and welcomed the boost to Three Purities.

After the WHO dispute made Wei Kang recognize how rule-setting and charity could help Chinese companies expand their influence overseas, he decided Three Purities should build a grassroots charity presence in Feizhou. He resolved to act quickly and use local Chinese and Black community support to begin the effort.

• Wei Kang reflected on the WHO conflict and concluded that Chinese companies needed to create their own rules and build influence through business and charity.
• He saw Feizhou as a promising place for Chinese companies to expand, but noted that Chinese grassroots Charity Organizations were largely absent while Western groups were widespread.
• Wei Kang recognized that Three Purities' Charity Organization could provide funding and technical help that Chinese semi-official aid groups lacked.
• He decided not to delay and planned to use the local Chinese Chamber of Commerce's support and goodwill from the local Black population to enter Feizhou.

Wei Kang planned to use Sanqing’s new overseas charitable foundation to expand Chinese influence and chose Sheng Changya to lead its work in developed countries. Sheng Changya accepted the appointment and welcomed the chance to undermine Sanqing’s opponents.

• Wei Kang reviewed Sanqing’s Feizhou profits and decided to fund an independent overseas foundation focused on aid and cultural outreach.
• Wei Kang considered candidates to lead the foundation, deciding Zhang Chunming could handle Feizhou and Sheng Changya could oversee developed regions.
• Wei Kang summoned Sheng Changya and offered her the global leadership role alongside her work at Sanqing Beauty.
• Sheng Changya accepted immediately and said she was eager to learn from Sanqing’s opponents and play dirty.

Wei Kang directed Sheng Changya and Zhang Chunming to expand Three Purities’ influence through media and charity work, then learned that three cardiovascular drugs had been approved for launch. Three Purities announced its move into the cardiovascular market, prompting major pharmaceutical companies to watch the new competitor warily.

• Wei Kang instructed Sheng Changya to build media influence and promote narratives through online creators, while she agreed to prepare a plan.
• Wei Kang appointed Zhang Chunming head of the Charity Organization in Feizhou and urged him to unite Chinese pharmaceutical companies and build ties with local chambers of commerce.
• Wei Kang received notice that Three Purities’ Antihypertensive Drug and two Anti-thrombotic Drugs had completed Phase III trials and gained approval from the Drug Administration Bureau.
• Wei Kang reviewed the drugs’ safety advantages, including the Anticoagulant Drug’s favorable comparison with Apixaban in a double-blind trial.
• Three Purities announced its entry into the cardiovascular drug field and the launch dates for its three drugs, drawing wary attention from Merck, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Novartis.

After alarming headlines about possible cancer risks in sartan-class drugs frightened Old Man Liang into asking Dr. Zhang to change his Irbesartan, Dr. Zhang prescribed Sanqing’s new antihypertensive medicine. Liang Kai praised its apparent benefits in a patient support group, prompting other members to consider switching to it.

• Liang Kai told Old Man Liang that sartan-class antihypertensive drugs had been recalled over carcinogenic contamination, alarming his father.
• Old Man Liang visited Dr. Zhang and insisted on replacing his Irbesartan despite the doctor’s explanation that its benefits still outweighed its potential risks.
• Dr. Zhang prescribed Sanqing’s newly launched antihypertensive drug after Old Man Liang requested a safer medicine and agreed to pay out of pocket.
• After several days on the new drug, Old Man Liang felt energetic and reported none of the discomfort he had experienced with Irbesartan.
• Liang Kai praised Sanqing’s medicine in the Patient Support Group, where other members expressed interest in switching to it.