Chapter 1768 - 725: Benefiting All

Chapter 1768: Chapter 725: Benefiting All

The highest-priced cancer drug entity in the world at present has an approximate price of $42,000 per dose, which is roughly equivalent to 300,000 RMB.

While "Water of Life" is not an immediate-effect medication, considering that a box contains as many as 28 doses, some shareholders firmly believe that even if the price rises to seven figures, hordes of people would still rush to buy it.

According to the results of the researchers’ experiments, after consistently using "Water of Life" for about a year, one can start seeing preliminary effects, at least extending life by two to three years.

Extending life by two to three years, costing over 10 million... it’s not just the wealthy who are not short on money, even many middle-class individuals entering middle or old age would likely be willing to risk bankruptcy to buy several boxes to try.

Of course, some other shareholders feel that a million-dollar price is indeed excessive, and one must also consider the impact on the general public as well as the potential ensuing public opinion crisis, among other things.

Hence, some shareholders believe a price between 300,000 to 500,000 RMB is more reasonable.

In addition, a small number of shareholders, primarily those represented by the Pharmaceutical Inspection Institute, advocate for making the price of the "Little Blue Bottle" more in line with public needs, meaning reducing the price below 100,000 RMB, with the ultimate goal being that, with continued research and improvement, it truly enters thousands of households.

Of course, this voice is rather weak; during that time most of the opinions at shareholder meetings were still revolving around the debate of whether it should be "six figures" or "seven figures."

Later on, the conflict reached an irreconcilable point, and matters were reported to Zhou Wang, who, after a day’s consideration, made a decisive conclusion:

"Follow the Pharmaceutical Inspection Institute’s suggestion, keep the price per box below 100,000 RMB."

As the founder and head, Zhou Wang holds veto power; during such a critical juncture, no shareholder would openly oppose him, and at most, they would grumble behind his back, so the matter was settled like this.

This led to the final price in the stores today... 99,998 RMB.

Of course, profit must be made; Zhou Wang has to consider the interests of all shareholders on the board, but purely for profit, Zhou Wang also does not think this way.

"When poor, one cultivates personal integrity; when affluent, one aids the world."

The so-called "principles" that once seemed empty and meaningless in books, with the young man’s step-by-step rise to power, he has gained a different understanding.

The cost of "Water of Life" is indeed hard to evaluate because the primary material was exchanged by Zhou Wang from the System Store; he can decide whatever price he wants.

But to ensure scarcity, Zhou Wang reported the cost to the Pharmaceutical Inspection Institute, estimating about 10,000 to 20,000 RMB per box, and along with other various costs, the actual production cost of a box of "Water of Life" is roughly between 30,000 to 40,000 RMB.

At first glance, with a cost of 30,000 and a selling price of 100,000, the profit seems substantial.

But actually, upon hearing that Zhou Wang decided to price "Water of Life" at under 100,000, Deputy Director Chen Simiao from the Pharmaceutical Inspection Institute, a respected and dedicated member of the Academy of Engineering, specially called Zhou Wang overnight, his words filled with emotion and guilt:

"Xiao Zhou, I know this price is actually very unfair to you, but I was not wrong about you; you are a young man with passion and ambition. Rest assured, I have reported your deeds, and above will not forget such aspirational youth..."

Yes, according to the real market conditions in the pharmaceutical industry, a drug with a production cost of 30,000 and a selling price of 100,000 is considered "sold cheap."

Because in the pharmaceutical industry, there is a cost that ordinary products cannot compare, called "fully diluted cost."

From the beginning of development to the market launch, you see the production cost of this drug at 30,000, but in reality, to create this drug, the pharmaceutical company may have already burned an unknown amount of research and development costs, clinical trial costs, marketing expenses...

Assuming a drug can successfully earn 10 billion, but if it fails the loss is zero, so to cover the 90% failure risk, the successful drug must earn 100 billion.

This is the drug market.

Pricing a drug with a production cost of 30,000 at 100,000 could never be set by a pharmaceutical company because it can’t fully cover this level of risk exposure.

Generally speaking, pricing at 300,000 and above is "reasonable," which includes the risk premium and the due profit during the patent period.

Therefore, Zhou Wang’s "100,000 offer" greatly shocked Dean Chen... Zhou Wang, however, thinks it is quite worthwhile.

Because his deeds have already caught attention at higher levels, those are benefits that can’t be bought with any amount of money.

With "another self" having paved the way, his current actions are more consistent with his character, equivalent to gaining another "Red Book Iron Certificate."

According to some internal information, the selection for "Yunan Province’s Top Ten Outstanding Youths" is already a certainty, and now Zhou Wang feels he might even hope to reach higher.

"Huaxia’s Top Ten Outstanding Youths."

Tch, just the sound of it is quite impressive.

"Excuse me, esteemed guests, the store is quite busy today, sorry to keep you waiting... would you like something to drink?"

At this moment, the sweet voice of the shop assistant pulled Zhou Wang’s wandering thoughts back to reality.

He glanced up briefly; those two young people watching the excitement weren’t lying, they were indeed quite pretty...

A youthful and vibrant beautiful face, a tall figure, enhanced by a professional skirt, indeed carries that print model vibe.

And there are a total of five such shop assistants in the store.

"Sir, ’Water of Life’ is sold out, but we still have other very high-quality products in the store. Would you like me to give you a detailed introduction?"

The shop assistant in front looked at Zhou Wang with quite bright eyes, probably because she hasn’t often encountered such a top-notch handsome man who looks wealthy, anyway, her gaze remained fixed on Zhou Wang, although she was speaking to both of them, she didn’t really look at Jiang Qingkui.

"Pretty, isn’t she? Want me to arrange it so she becomes Mr. Zhou’s secretary? Just happens, your assistant team needs expansion..."

When Zhou Wang was about to say something, Jiang Qingkui’s light laughter preceded him; upon hearing it, Zhou Wang shivered, quickly retracted his gaze that was also examining her.

He’s now able to discern; when this woman politely addresses him as "Mr. Zhou," it means she’s not in a good mood, conversely, if she grits her teeth and calls his full name, then Zhou Wang can act freely.

"I will only ever have you as my secretary... Remember, this isn’t a discussion, it’s a notification."

Zhou Wang looked seriously at Jiang Qingkui, declaring his stance.

But Jiang Qingkui clearly didn’t buy it, instead frowning as she looked at the shop assistant whose eyes seemed to speak, "Where’s your manager? Ask him to come see me."

"Uh..."

"Ignore her nonsense, carry on with your work. You don’t need to mind us, we’re just casually looking."

Zhou Wang said to the somewhat bewildered shop assistant, sending her away, only then did he look helplessly at Jiang Qingkui, "Is it necessary? The young lady didn’t do anything, why do you need to call for the store manager at every turn?"

"Oh wow, turns out you’re just a kept gigolo, and once the woman speaks, you back down..."

At that point, both heard the mutter from the shop assistant who had just turned around.

"Damn, what did you say... where’s your manager, call him over, call him over!"

Zhou Wang’s fury instantly exploded.

"It’s not necessary, it’s not necessary, Mr. Zhou, let’s go. We can come for the usual work another day. Don’t disturb their regular business..."

This time it was Jiang Qingkui, smiling sweetly, pulling Zhou Wang, after a bit of commotion, she took him out of the Creation Collection store.

On the street, Jiang Qingkui couldn’t hold back any longer, covered her mouth and laughed, her whole body shaking with laughter.

Originally somewhat annoyed, Zhou Wang was infected by Jiang Qingkui and finally couldn’t help laughing, but to show punishment, after laughing, he still gave Jiang Qingkui’s hefty rear a hard slap.

"Enough laughing, let’s go, time for dinner!"