After the successful development of genetic drugs for thalassemia, the long-suppressed emotions of patients around the world completely exploded.
Some wealthy and powerful patients contacted Sanqing through various channels to ask how they could obtain medicines.
Faced with an increasing number of applications, Weicome held an emergency meeting of the R&D department to discuss how to respond.
The genetic drugs for single-gene genetic diseases previously developed by Sanqing are rare diseases and the number of patients is very small. There may only be hundreds or thousands of cases in the world. Generally speaking, the demand is not large.
Moreover, the genetic sites of mutations or deletions in these diseases are very similar. As long as a drug is developed, most people can be treated.
But thalassemia is different. There are many patients. There are 20,000 severe cases in China alone, and the number of moderate and mild patients is even greater. If you add in the massive number of overseas patients, the number is quite huge.
This is not an ordinary chemical drug, everyone just needs to take the same generic pill.
What's more important is that thalassemia has hundreds of mutated gene segments, and the mutated gene segments may be different for each person. It would undoubtedly be an impossible task to tailor genetic medicine for everyone.
Wei Kang didn't have a particularly good way to deal with such a complicated situation, so he could only choose patients.
In the office, Wei Kang crossed his hands on the table and looked at the three generals in front of him.
"Do you have any good ideas?"
Chen Yiqing, Wen Renlong, and Tang Que looked at each other and slowly shook their heads.
After a moment of silence, Tang Que said: "Thalassemia is different from other single-gene diseases. With current gene editing technology, we need to design inserted gene fragments for each patient. This workload is huge and takes a long time. , destined to fail to spread quickly.”
Chen Yiqing sighed and said: "This drug is very special and may only benefit the rich. Ordinary patients may only be able to use traditional treatment methods. We are really unable to do so."
Wen Renlong nodded: "This is the real world. The best way is prevention. If many genetic diseases can be detected during pregnancy, we can avoid dragging the whole family into the quagmire."
Wei Kang frowned and said: "Money is not an issue. Now I have received many applications from patients. They asked to participate in clinical trials and said they would do it at any cost. The point is, they are all very rich or in high positions and can afford it." Starting from the cost of customized treatment.”
Wen Renlong shrugged and said unconcernedly: "Then just agree to them. They have money anyway. Aren't these medical expenses just enough to cover R&D and clinical expenses?"
"However, we still have some applications submitted by domestic patients. This demand cannot be ignored, and we cannot accept all clinical trials from wealthy foreign people. That is really unjustifiable."
Tang Que was hesitant to speak: "Boss, there are certain quotas for clinical trials, and the number of people cannot be too large."
Wei Kang thought for a moment and said: "Aaron is right. The rich are rich anyway. We can ask them to pay huge fees and then use the money to benefit domestic patients."
"But you can't do it too directly, otherwise they are all patients participating in clinical trials. Why do some have to pay so much and some don't? It seems unfair."
Wen Renlong curled his lips and said: "Didn't the prince of the desert country pay the sponsorship fee last time? This is a good excuse. Rich people these days like to sponsor scientific research activities. It's normal. If I had tens of billions With my wealth, I will definitely fund the research and development of the elixir of life."
Chen Yiqing interjected: "Paying sponsorship fees can only be done during the research and development stage. What will happen when it goes on the market?"
"The price must be transparent once it is launched. How can we still collect sponsorship fees? If the price is too high, the poor will still look down on it. If the price is too low, the ability to pay compensation will be small. Shouldn't it exhaust the people in Lao Tang's laboratory to death?"
Wen Renlong greatly agreed: "There is indeed a need for a screening mechanism, especially for foreigners. To be politically incorrect, what does their life and death have to do with us? Why do we have to exhaust Old Tang to treat them?"
"They already have a way to treat thalassemia, but it's just incurable. In this regard, they are already much better off than the poor. The real poor cannot afford annual blood transfusions and iron removal drugs. .These are the real users of our medicines."
"If it weren't for the sake of money, I wouldn't agree to tire Old Tang to death."
Tang Que's face was darker than the bottom of the pot, and he said coldly: "It's not over yet, who said I'm going to die from exhaustion?"
Wen Renlong chuckled and said, "I know, I know, you have a bunch of younger brothers, this matter will definitely not bother you."
The topic was about to go off the rails, so Wei Kang quickly pulled it back.
"Let's set up a charity foundation for this niche or complex genetic drug. The funds raised will mainly be used to pay for research and development and clinical expenses to ensure that we can not lose money from drug development to launch. After the launch, we can also help the poor Patients make charitable donations of medicines.”
"Rich people who want to treat diseases have to donate money to apply for clinical trials. Once it is launched, complex conditions like thalassemia can be sold at a very reasonable price, so there is no need to worry about poor people not being able to afford it."
Bang bang bang!
Wen Renlong immediately applauded: "Great, I have long disliked those rich people. They are so rich, why should I sell it to them so cheaply?"
"In my opinion, in the future, when Sanqing sells medicines, they will check the patient's assets and then collect money according to the asset ratio. In this way, the richer people will have to pay more for their health, and the poor will not have to go bankrupt to see a doctor. This is fair to everyone. This is a real health tax.”
Wei Kang couldn't laugh or cry and said, "Stop being ridiculous."
However, something moved in his heart. This suggestion seemed to sound reasonable.
As people get older, various diseases will appear. In order to stay healthy, people need to spend money on maintenance or treatment. Even if they are not sick, they must experience it frequently and take early prevention.
In a sense, isn't this a health tax?
In the future, as science and technology develop, whether it is treating diseases, organ transplants, or even maintaining youth, it will cost a lot of money. As long as everyone can live healthy to the end of their lives, someone will definitely be willing to spend the money.
But in order to truly popularize technology and benefit all mankind, it must not be too expensive to be affordable.
Otherwise, it will inevitably lead to a situation similar to the end-users in science fiction, and this is not a good thing for pharmaceutical companies, because it is impossible for pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs that can only be used by a small group of people.
Letting everyone die from illness is not what pharmaceutical companies want. Making money from every patient is what pharmaceutical companies dream of.
In this case, a reasonable distribution plan must be designed.
The rich have their own solutions, and the poor have their own solutions. Everyone is happy. This is the situation that pharmaceutical companies like.
Just like the property tax in Eagle Country, isn't it collected based on the market price of the house?
So why can’t such a valuable health tax be collected based on assets?
Perhaps, in the distant future, whether rich or poor, as long as they spend an amount of money every year according to their own income, everyone can stay young when they get old. If an organ is broken, just replace it. If you are sick, you can take medicine to cure it, and you can stay healthy. live to be 120 years old.
This may not be a bad thing.
However, things could go the other way.
Maybe you will have to work until you are 100 years old before retiring, and your mortgage will last for 70 years.
Wei Kang couldn't help but tremble in his heart when he thought of this. This was really terrible.
He quickly got rid of these messy thoughts in his mind and said seriously: "Very good, that's it. In the future, if you want to apply for clinical trials of Sanqing drugs, wealthy people must donate at least US$1 million to the Sanqing Charity Fund to get in line. Qualifications."
"Of course, we have always treated our compatriots relatively favorably. The rich in the country only need 1 million yuan."
"A rich man like Prince Salman who donated 10 million US dollars at a time is our chief guest. We can develop new drugs specifically for him. After all, his money alone is enough. Once the drug is launched, it can save many people."
"With a few more generous rich people like him, we will have more funds to develop more new drugs. This is a great thing. Maybe patients around the world can overcome all diseases with the help of these rich people."
Chen Yiqing thought of many of his classmates who stayed in Eagle Country and couldn't help but ask: "Is this overseas Chinese considered domestic or foreign?"
Wei Kang was stunned: "If you are still a Chinese national, of course you will be counted as a domestic rich person. If you are already a foreign national, unfortunately you can only be counted as a foreign rich person. But we also have preferential treatment for them. For Western rich people, 1 million The US dollar is just the threshold, they have to queue up according to the donation amount, and if they are Chinese, there is no need to queue up for US$1 million."
Wen Renlong applauded again and smiled from ear to ear: "Boss, this is very capitalist, well done!"
Chen Yiqing had no objection and agreed: "It's good. Western rich people are very popular in donating to charity. They will definitely be willing to open their wallets generously."
Tang Que snorted coldly: "That's true. With so much money, I have to work so hard that I have the motivation."
After speaking, a rare smile appeared on his face.
The next day, the Sanqing Charitable Foundation was announced.
This is an independently operated charity that accepts donations from all over the world. Details of operations and use of donations will be published on the website on time every month, making it open and transparent.
After the establishment of the foundation, the first donation announced was 10 million US dollars from Prince Salman, and its destination was also clear. It will be used to pay for the research and development costs of thalassemia gene drugs, as well as the first and second phase of clinical trials.
Of course, 10 million U.S. dollars is not enough for clinical trial expenses, so those wealthy people at home and abroad who applied to participate in clinical trials received a very polite reply email.
"Dear Mr. xx, it is a pity that clinical trials are currently being carried out with difficulty, but there is still a large funding gap. If you are willing to contribute to the release of this drug as soon as possible, it will surely greatly promote the smooth progress of clinical trials. , as a thank you, you will be given priority in obtaining clinical quota for this drug."
"Please click the link below to view the donation process. After receiving your remittance, we will arrange for a dedicated person to contact you for follow-up clinical application. Thank you for your letter! I wish you good health!"
****
In Camel Country, a wealthy Middle Eastern man wearing a headscarf opened his mailbox and saw the long-awaited email.
He happily clicked on the link and found that the donation threshold was US$1 million, and as long as he donated, he could enter a waiting list.
One of the characteristics of the rich people in the Middle East is that they are very wealthy and very angry. He only thought for a second, then waved his hand and donated 10 million US dollars.
The website is very considerate. As long as you make a donation, you can see your ranking on the waiting list.
The hijab tycoon was very satisfied to see his ranking instantly surge into the top three.
The total number of places for the first and second clinical phases is 100.
He hummed softly, feeling relaxed all over.
This wealthy man is also familiar with Prince Salman. He has carefully inquired about the prince's entire treatment process and is looking forward to this genetic drug.
Although he only has a mild form of the Mediterranean disease, which only requires occasional blood transfusions, it is not as serious as Prince Salman's.
However, it is best to treat this genetic disease as early as possible, because he learned from the prince that the treatment process is very complicated and needs to be tailored to the defective gene.
Because of this, Sanqing currently has no motivation to market it abroad, so if you want to treat it, applying for a clinical quota is the best result.
Anyway, he is not short of money. Ten million US dollars to buy health insurance is quite cost-effective.
If this drug is really not marketed overseas, he will be in trouble.
After all, he was quite envious after watching Prince Salman post his surfing photos on Twitter every day after he recovered.
****
In the Eagle Kingdom, Solomon, a wealthy man from the descendants of Isaac, also received this reply email.
He snorted coldly, clicked on the link, and saw the request for a donation of US$1 million, and his face suddenly twitched.
"It's too much. They are selling clinical trial quotas nakedly. They are really a bunch of greedy guys. It is simply a shame for pharmaceutical companies."
He was so angry that he closed the website: "I have one million dollars, and I can go for a direct bone marrow transplant."
However, after thinking about it carefully, I realized that a bone marrow transplant in Eagle Country might not be affordable at one million US dollars. Moreover, it is difficult to find bone marrow that matches my own, and there is also the possibility of rejection and infection. This donation of US$1 million suddenly became tempting. People got up.
He pinched his nose and donated 1 million US dollars, and then entered a new page showing a waiting list.
100 places, he ranked last.
Solomon suddenly became furious: "Asshole, why is this happening? I have obviously donated 1 million, how can I be the last one?"
He immediately reacted. It was obvious that the 1 million was only the entry level. The list of 100 must be ranked according to the donation amount. If you want to rank high and obtain clinical quotas as soon as possible, you must donate more.
"Shit, I will never let you make this dirty money." Solomon clenched his fists, veins popped out on his forehead, and closed the computer directly.
However, after a few days, he was still thinking about it and became angry and annoyed when he thought about it.
Suddenly, he remembered that an acquaintance, like him, had also applied for Sanqing's clinical trial, and he happened to be very wealthy as well.
So he called and asked.
"Haha, Solomon, your call came just in time. I have already received a call from Sanqing. They have arranged a clinical trial for me. I have already booked a first-class flight for tomorrow night."
Solomon was shocked and angry: "How could you be so quick? How much money did you donate? Why didn't I receive a call?"
The other party's tone was very surprised, and then he suddenly realized: "I am different from you. I am very old, and I really want to experience the feeling of health as soon as possible, so I donated 8 million US dollars from the beginning. What, you stingy? Are you committing the old habit of being stingy again?"
"I sincerely advise you. In fact, the price is not expensive at all. Do you know how much it costs to do an allogeneic bone marrow transplant in Eagle Country? My doctor at the Mayo Clinic told me that if a matching bone marrow is successfully found, it will cost three dollars. Millions of dollars, if it doesn’t go well, you can only wait endlessly.”
"So, if you only pay one million, your chances will be very small. Only by increasing your chips can you get more opportunities. Obviously, we all know how to use money reasonably, but you haven't understood this truth yet."
After hanging up the phone, Solomon felt flustered and opened the page again.
Gritting his teeth, he transferred another 1 million US dollars, but the ranking remained unchanged and he was firmly in the last place.
He suddenly became furious and continued to transfer money while cursing.
With 3 million US dollars, his ranking finally slowly started to rise.
With 5 million US dollars, he ranked in the top 50.
Solomon wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and felt that his heart was like a knife, and there was a burst of physical pain.
He looked at this ranking and couldn't make a move anymore.
"The first fifty should be enough. Even if you don't call me tomorrow, at least there will be news next week."
However, he waited and waited, and waited for a full month, but there was no call.
I opened the webpage angrily and took a look. Suddenly my vision went dark and I almost fainted.
He actually fell to the last place again.
7017k
