First Research Results

The printer hummed and whirred in the empty drug testing laboratory.

Chen Chen's gaze lifted from the electron microscope at his lab bench. He stood and let out a soft sigh of stale air.

With the plan gradually falling into place, he finally had the resources to begin researching NZT-48.

Thinking this, Chen Chen picked up the printed experimental report and quickly skimmed through the research results of the past few days.

Drug Name: Unnamed.

Ingredients: C15H15NO2S, C9H13N, C23H21N6O3Cl.CH4O3S, C18H14Cl4N2O.

1. Molar Refractivity: 44.09

2. Molar Volume (cm³/mol): 161.5

5. Polarizability (10⁻²⁴ cm³): 17.47

Emmmmm...

Chen Chen wore a complicated expression.

The drug NZT-48 was actually a combination of multiple synthetic drugs.

Besides some common compounds, it even involved multifunctional targeted molecules.

Within the ingredients of NZT-48, Chen Chen discovered components such as 2-[(R)-(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide, α-methylphenethylamine, benzodiazepine chloronitrazepam, and miconazole.

Holy crap, miconazole...

Chen Chen found many chemical formulas for modern drugs within it, such as Modafinil and Amphetamine. He even found ingredients for Daktarin???

Chen Chen deliberately searched online and actually found an article stating that miconazole was an effective new remyelinating agent.

In their research, the group proved that miconazole could enhance myelin formation by inhibiting the expression of cholesterol-producing enzymes in stem cells. The paper was titled: Accumulation of 8,9-unsaturated sterols drives oligodendrocyte formation and remyelination.

Of course, these research results were still in the laboratory stage for now, and they hadn't truly clarified the direction.

In addition, Chen Chen also found traces of N-pyridin-4-ylpiperazine-1-carboxamide in the drug, which could treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Based on the effects of several subsequent drugs, Chen Chen could confirm that a portion of NZT-48's pharmacology likely acted on nerve myelin.

Nerve myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes, which wrap around neuronal axons to create a complex cell membrane.

The main component of myelin is fat, produced by ganglion cells and forming a lipid sheath. It acts as an insulator, increasing the transmission speed of nerve impulses and protecting neuronal axons.

In other words, besides proficiency, a person's reaction speed is actually determined by nerve myelin. The thicker and more developed the nerve myelin, the faster a person's reaction speed.

Conversely, the opposite is also true.

Furthermore, Chen Chen also found essential amino acids like phenylalanine and isoleucine in NZT-48.

This meant that the NZT drug itself contained some of the nutrients required for the brain's high-speed operation. This did not surprise Chen Chen; rather, it felt like a natural consequence.

After all, maintaining the brain's high-intensity operation for 12 consecutive hours would be impossible without sufficient nutrients.

However, for now, NZT-48 appeared to be a standard neurological synthetic drug, as well as a cerebral metabolism and circulation improver, an awakening promoter, and a cognitive enhancer.

Over this period, Chen Chen had gradually figured out some clues through testing his own body fluid.

NZT-48 had a certain neuroprotective effect, and its central stimulant effect was likely achieved by increasing glutamine synthetase, thereby reducing the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid, and promoting the detoxification function and energy metabolism activity of nerve cells... perhaps?

Regarding its efficacy, the onset time for oral administration was about 3 minutes, with a duration of 11-13 hours. Blood drug concentration peaked about 1 hour after oral administration.

The bioavailability of the oral tablets was 90%, and the total protein binding rate was 90%. The drug and its metabolites were excreted in urine and feces, with an apparent plasma clearance rate of 110-180 ml per minute.

These were all the experimental results.

Looking at the report, Chen Chen was not satisfied.

Based on the experimental process, he had only deciphered 30% of the drug's components. 70% of NZT-48's composition remained unknown.

Fully researching those components would not be a task accomplished overnight.

To truly research it, Chen Chen would need at least a fully equipped experimental center, a large team of over a hundred people, and astronomical experimental funding.

It seemed that besides a power plant, Chen Chen had another future goal.

With this thought, a smile crept across Chen Chen's lips.

Instead of feeling discouraged or dejected by the immense obstacles ahead, Chen Chen's ambition grew even stronger.

Or rather, after taking NZT-48, Chen Chen wouldn't experience negative emotions like dejection or discouragement at all.

After destroying all traces of his presence in the laboratory, Chen Chen climbed onto the lab bench and reconnected the circuits of several cameras that had been cut in the corner of the lab. He then moved to the ceiling in the center of the laboratory.

Standing on the lab bench, Chen Chen surveyed the room, then pulled out a lighter and aimed it at a fire sprinkler head.

Click!

A crisp sound echoed, and a faint blue flame ignited on the lighter.

"Beep beep beep!"

The smart chip in the fire sprinkler head detected the abnormal temperature and immediately issued a warning. Subsequently, four or five sprinkler heads throughout the laboratory sprayed a large amount of water, like a shower of petals.

Instantly, the entire laboratory was devastated. Various experimental instruments lost power and were then submerged in the downpour...

Chen Chen wiped the water off his face and turned to leave the laboratory.

As soon as he stepped out, Chen Chen saw a large group of people rushing over from the office area.

"What's going on? What happened?"

A balding man, leading a group of security guards holding fire extinguishers, asked in a panic.

"It's nothing, I just accidentally triggered the fire alarm while doing an experiment," Chen Chen said calmly.

One of the security guards quickly rushed into the laboratory. After confirming there was no fire source, he came back out, still shaken, "Manager, there's no fire, it's just that all the experimental equipment..."

The balding man and his group stared at Chen Chen blankly again.

"Don't worry, I'll pay for it."

Renting another company's laboratory wasn't a long-term solution after all. It seemed it was time to open his own experimental center.

On the way back, Chen Chen planned silently.

Then, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Manager Xia, are the things I need, along with my passport and visa, all ready?" Chen Chen asked.

"Chairman Chen, the things you need have all been prepared for you, and they're all at your home," Xia Yin replied sarcastically from the other end of the line.

"Alright, I'll go take a look."

Without waiting for her to say more, he hung up the phone. Chen Chen then rode his electric scooter back to the industrial park.

Back at Blacklight Biotechnology's data center, as soon as he entered the main door, Chen Chen saw a pile of goods stacked on the floor. On top of them were a passport and a Swiss business visa.

Chen Chen took out a pair of scissors, opened the packages of goods, and then moved them to the front of the distribution room door.

"X, it's me," Chen Chen said to the thick door of the distribution room.

Click.

The heavy door of the distribution room opened in response...

Thanks to the three bosses [Wu Di Wan Wan Nian], [Wei Shen Me De Shuo], and [Boundless Light Buddha] for their rewards~~