Chapter 250: A little bit of rice is a favor, a big bit of rice is a grudge.

Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, Department of Hematology.

Director Hu had just finished his ward rounds in the general ward and returned to his office. Less than two minutes later, there was a crisp knock on the half-open office door.

“Please come in.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged woman dressed in jewels walked in.

Director Hu looked up and frowned, as if the person looked unfamiliar.

“Hello, Director…”

The middle-aged woman, who was wearing jewels, showed an awkward but flattering smile on her face, and at the same time closed the office door with her backhand, leaving only a slit:
“Director, I am the family member of Huang Xiaoyun, the patient in bed 21. My son participated in the Phase II clinical trial of Qingshan Pharmaceutical’s ‘Ibetumumab’, uh… the double-blind trial.”

“By the way, do you remember me? We were introduced by Director Duan of the Endocrinology Department. My wife is Director Duan’s classmate. Director Duan even called you personally at that time…”

“Oh?”

Director Hu took another look at the middle-aged woman in front of him and some impressions emerged in his mind.

In fact, as the director of a hematology department that is one of the top ten in the country, it is inevitable that I will receive some patients who come in upon request.

Some hope to be given priority for medical treatment, while others hope to be arranged with a bed.

Generally speaking, as long as it does not violate the rules, he will try his best to satisfy it, which is also human nature.

It seems that the family of this middle-aged woman in front of me did want to join the clinical trial of “Ibeumab” through the introduction of Director Duan…

Thinking of this, he smiled and said:
“Oh, I remember now!”

“Sit down first. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“It’s not like anything happened!”

When the middle-aged woman saw Director Hu remember this relationship, she smiled even more attentively:

“Director, I heard from many people yesterday that the combined treatment program recently launched by Qingshan Pharmaceutical is very good;

It is said that the lowest therapeutic effect of the subjects after using it reached 85%, and the best one could not even detect leukemia cells! It is more effective than a miracle drug!”

“So, Director, can you help us so that Xiaoyun can use this latest combined treatment plan as soon as possible?”

Director Hu immediately understood the purpose of the middle-aged woman in front of him.

Patients who participated in the Phase I and Phase II double-blind clinical trials were still using the original “ibukumab” alone for treatment. Who wouldn’t be excited to hear that the patients who used the medication independently showed significant results from the combined treatment?

Who is not jealous?

but……

After a moment, he shook his head and said:

“My dear family member, this is not something I can decide. Qingshan Pharmaceutical is solely responsible for the treatment plan for patients in the Phase I and Phase II double-blind clinical trials, and I am powerless to do anything about it.”

“Besides, you also know that this experiment is a double-blind test. Even if Qingshan Pharmaceutical really uses a combination treatment plan in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, your son may not be able to use it immediately.”

“So, don’t be in a hurry, take your time!”

Director Hu originally thought that such words would be enough to dispel the middle-aged woman’s idea, but unexpectedly, the middle-aged woman suddenly blinked her eyes and said mysteriously:
“Director, I can confirm that my son is definitely in the ‘experimental group’!”

“To be honest, I have secretly looked at my son’s medical records for the past month. Many of his core indicators are better than before we participated in the clinical trial. This must be the effect of Ibelumab!”

“so……”

As she spoke, the middle-aged woman paused for a moment, and a cordial smile appeared on her face again:
“So, can you please help me? Tell Qingshan Pharmaceutical to start the combined treatment in the double-blind trial group as soon as possible.”

After hearing this, Director Hu’s expression remained normal.

Generally speaking, double-blind tests follow the “double-blind rule” in which patients, people in charge of developing clinical trial plans, and reviewers do not know who is in the experimental group and who is in the placebo group.

But there are always some patients with extraordinary abilities who can use various methods to determine whether they belong to the experimental group.

At this time, he also opened the examination results of bed 21 patient Huang Xiaoyun on the computer. Sure enough, it was similar to what the middle-aged woman said. The recent treatment effect was quite good, and it was very likely that he was assigned to the experimental group.

After thinking for a moment, Director Hu did not intend to continue talking about this topic, and said in a deep voice:

“Okay, let’s not discuss the issue of the experimental group for now.”

“I understand your feelings, but what you don’t understand is that this combination therapy actually has a great risk of side effects. Those critically ill patients who use the combination therapy have signed a waiver agreement.”

“side effect?”

The middle-aged woman was finally stunned for a moment, but soon she shook her head and said:
“Director, I see they have been using it for a week and haven’t seen any side effects!”

Director Hu was a little amused and helpless. This woman was really difficult to deal with.

But when he thought that this was a friend introduced by Director Duan, he could only patiently explain:
“You said you only used it for a week. What side effects could appear in a week? We need to continue to observe.”

“Still need to observe?”

The middle-aged woman suddenly became excited:
“Director Hu, when can we use it? We are not afraid of side effects, so please help us report this to Qingshan Pharmaceutical.”

Director Hu sighed helplessly, not wanting to explain any further, so he just said perfunctorily:

“Okay, let me give Qingshan Pharmaceutical some advice.”

……

The middle-aged woman was the first to come see Director Hu, but not the last.

In the next two or three days, many patients who participated in the Phase I and Phase II double-blind clinical trials came to Director Hu, hoping that he could help report to Qingshan Pharmaceutical so that everyone could use the combined treatment plan as soon as possible.

Director Hu explained patiently at first, but in the end he became a little impatient after being asked so many questions. He originally thought that the matter would slowly die down, but he didn’t expect that after a few days, some unfriendly voices gradually came out from the patient’s family.

In the hematology ward.

“Hey, I don’t know whether Director Hu didn’t report this matter to Qingshan Pharmaceutical, or Qingshan Pharmaceutical doesn’t care about our ideas at all. It’s been many days and Qingshan Pharmaceutical still hasn’t taken any action!”

“Humph, it must be Qingshan Pharmaceutical. Didn’t Director Hu say that he has no say in this matter? Qingshan Pharmaceutical has the final say.”

“Well, I also think that Qingshan Pharmaceutical doesn’t want to adjust. It is said…ah, I also heard that Qingshan Pharmaceutical attaches great importance to this ‘Ibeumab’ and is ready to make a fortune from this drug. So…now they are reluctant to give us the combination drug, and they are waiting for us to buy it after the drug is on the market, so that they can make a fortune!”

“Ah? No way? Qingshan Pharmaceutical has never been such a company!”

“That’s right. If you talk about other companies, I might believe you, but Qingshan Pharmaceutical needs this little money from us? Besides, every pharmaceutical company that conducts clinical trials hopes for good treatment results. The better the results, the easier it is to pass.”

“Humph, if you don’t believe me, forget it. Then why is it that Qingshan Pharmaceutical won’t let us use the combined treatment plan when it’s so effective? Don’t talk about side effects. Why haven’t I seen any side effects in those patients? They’re all full of energy, and they look better than us!” “Also, the drug you mentioned was successfully approved for market launch. Aren’t those patients who used the drug independently the best data? Are you still worried that it won’t be available on the market?”

“So Qingshan Pharmaceutical doesn’t care about us at all. They are even afraid that if we can control our disease well, it will affect their sales!”

“That’s nonsense!”

It has to be said that these rumors have absolutely no logic at all. Anyone with a little common sense in medical research and development knows that this is nonsense.

But the vast majority of patients and their families are ordinary people who have no knowledge at all about drug development.

In addition, in everyone’s eyes, Tsingshan Pharmaceutical does not provide the “best” treatment plan, and this conspiracy theory is quite popular among the patient community!

For a time, a large number of rumors and slander spread among the patients’ families!
Director Hu was so angry that his teeth were itching, but Zhang Yang was busy with another thing at this time.

Just the day after the effectiveness of the combination drug “Ibetumumab” was announced, Friedman, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared in his office.

“Zhang, long time no see! I saw the latest news about your ‘Ibetumumab’ on the news, crazy!”

“You’re going to make a lot of money again!”

“Haha, Friedman, I’ll take your words of good fortune!”

Zhang Yang was not surprised by Friedman’s arrival and had even been waiting for it for a long time.

You know, Lucas of GlaxoSmithKline signed a letter of intent for cooperation on “Ibetumumab” with Tsingshan Pharmaceutical two weeks ago. It is somewhat unusual that Novartis reacted so slowly this time.

However, what surprised Zhang Yang even more was that Friedman also brought a new face this time.

A very delicate and beautiful lady who conforms to oriental aesthetics.

“Zhang, let me introduce you. This is Miss Minako, the newest vice president of our Novartis China headquarters. She will be mainly responsible for the cooperation with your company.”

“Or to be more precise, Miss Minako will serve you exclusively.”

Specially for me?

Zhang Yang was slightly stunned, but before he could think about it, Minako beside him suddenly showed a sweet smile, generously stretched out her right hand, and said:

“Mr. President, my name is Minako, nice to meet you.”

“I am of Chinese and Japanese descent. I also have a Chinese name. You can also call me Lin Yue.”

“Just like President Friedman said, I will stay at the Huaxia headquarters for a long time, mainly responsible for all cooperation matters with your company. I would like to trouble you for your guidance.”

Zhang Yang finally came to his senses. No wonder Minako looked so pleasing to the eye. It turned out that she was of Chinese and Japanese descent.

He subconsciously looked at Minako again, then stretched out his right hand and gently grasped her. She was as soft as boneless, delicate and smooth, which made his heart slightly moved.

Zhang Yang was a little confused about Friedman’s purpose in introducing Minako to him, but he was too lazy to think about it at this time. He knew that the most important purpose of Friedman’s visit must be to sign a letter of intent for agency cooperation for “Ibeumab” with Tsingshan Pharmaceutical.

Sure enough, Friedman then mentioned the agency of “Ibetumumab” in the United States.

Zhang Yang didn’t say much. At this moment, his work focus was on monitoring the side effects of the “Ibetuzumab” combination therapy, and he didn’t want to spend too much time on this matter.

In addition, since the company had cooperated with Novartis many times before, the two sides quickly reached a preliminary cooperation intention agreement.

Friedman seemed to have noticed that Zhang Yang was not in a good mood. After signing the contract, he chatted for a few minutes and prepared to leave.

Before saying goodbye, it was Minako who took the initiative to hand Zhang Yang a card.

“President Zhang Yang, this is my business card.”

“My personal phone number is on the business card. You are always welcome to call me.”

“If necessary, I can fly over from the Magic City at any time.”

Zhang Yang took the business card handed over by Minako with both hands, and after a quick glance at it, he suddenly understood something.

He smiled calmly:
“Okay, I’ll call you if there’s anything we can do to cooperate.”

……

Friedman and Minako came and went quickly, and just when Friedman came to Tsingshan Pharmaceutical to sign a letter of intent for cooperation on “Ibelumab”, another top global pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, also noticed the amazing effect of Tsingshan Pharmaceutical’s “Ibelumab” combination therapy.

Pfizer, USA.

Pfizer was originally developing a drug for acute leukemia.

When Tsingshan Pharmaceutical’s “Ibetuzumab” just started clinical trials, Pfizer was very jealous. Now, after seeing that Tsingshan Pharmaceutical’s use of “allogeneic T cells” + “Ibetuzumab” combined treatment has achieved even more amazing therapeutic results, it is even more jealous.

but……

Pfizer is indeed the world’s top pharmaceutical company.

As an emerging immune drug for treating tumors, Pfizer’s senior technical staff quickly noticed the possible problems in Tsingshan Pharmaceutical’s combined treatment plan!
That’s right!

That is the side effect of “allogeneic T cells”!
President Daniel’s office.

“Mike, are you saying that the combined treatment plan in this Qingshan Pharmaceutical clinical trial is very risky? It is very likely to cause organ failure in patients?!”

“That’s right, President Daniel.”

The person who answered was Mike, the director of the technical research and development department. After seeing the clinical trial plan and results released by Tsingshan Pharmaceutical, he was also very shocked at first.

I was shocked that Qingshan Pharmaceutical could achieve such a stable and efficient treatment effect.

But soon, he discovered “allogeneic T cells” and discovered the possible side effects of this combined treatment regimen.

“President Daniel, our team knows a lot about ‘allogeneic T cells’, and I can confirm that the use of ‘allogeneic T cell’ drugs will bring many side effects.”

“Especially when used on leukemia patients, this side effect may be magnified exponentially. Long-term use is very likely to cause abnormalities or even failure of normal bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells!”

“I don’t know whether Qingshan Pharmaceutical is aware of this, but I think this is definitely a huge hidden danger…”

“It’s so huge that if they don’t have a good solution, the launch of this ‘ibumab’ may be affected!”

“It’s possible that the ethics committee will not allow a drug with such serious side effects to be marketed!”

President Daniel was slightly stunned, and then a strange light flashed in his eyes.

In recent years, Qingshan Pharmaceutical has been very popular!

In particular, it “grabbed” the hemophilia “order” from Pfizer some time ago!
“Haha, no matter if they know about the possible side effects or not, it’s time to create some trouble for them.”

PS: Thank you all for your monthly tickets. I’m going home after visiting everyone today, and will start updating in waves tomorrow!
thanks for your support!
(End of this chapter)