She paused for a moment, as if choosing her words carefully: "However, the difficulty of its engineering realization increases exponentially. The design, expression, purification, and antigen connection efficiency of each enhancer module, the stability of the composite after connection, immunogenicity, safety... Each step is filled with unknowns and risks of failure. My personal assessment is that the likelihood of its successful application is infinitesimally close to zero."

An elderly but still sharp-eyed technical vice president, Charles White, spoke slowly, his voice low and clear: "Sounds like another project trying to impress investors with pretty theories. Do they have any actual progress? For instance, are there any design ideas for these so-called enhancers?"

"According to our very limited intelligence sources," the female scientist replied, "their work has just begun, with no substantial progress."

"Ha," Charles chuckled softly, with a calm confidence gained from extensive experience, "So they haven't even completed the first experimental step, nor have they obtained a decent candidate molecule, yet they are already discussing a disruptive future? And with just five people?"

He extended a hand and spread five fingers, then closed them again and waved his hand, "Just keep the information updated to a minimal extent. I don't think they have the capability to navigate the maze of preclinical research. Our AS series adjuvants, after decades of verification and optimization, remain the gold standard and cornerstone of the global vaccine market. Our efforts should focus on further optimizing the existing platform and following Novartis and Pfizer's new moves in mRNA vector adjuvants, rather than being distracted by garage-level startup projects."

Meanwhile, a more secretive informal discussion was taking place among the upper echelons of the giant company.

The location was not even in a formal meeting room but a private reception room furnished with raw wood and leather furniture, where several individuals capable of influencing group strategic directions were seated on the sofa.

"Half a billion RMB, translates to less than eighty million dollars, right?" A middle-aged man in a casual suit with a calm demeanor said slowly, playing with an unlit cigar in his hand, "This amount, for us, might only cover sporadic expenses of a Phase II clinical trial or a year's research and development budget for a medium-priority project." He's one of the leaders of the giant's global R&D strategy, Robert Liu.

Li Gaoyang kept rubbing his temples, his gaze resting on Rolf. As the head of BG Company, he didn't need to manage such trivial matters, but since it involved Yang Ping, they had to convene senior executives of the subordinate giant company for a private meeting.

Rolf's gaze turned profound: "The Chinese market has its peculiarities. The policy orientation there is very clear, with strong support and urgent demand for independent innovation, especially in the substitution of domestic products in the biopharmaceutical field. Sometimes, absolute technological advancement is not the only consideration. Even a passable adjuvant technology labeled as independent innovation, once endorsed by policy, could form a formidable force in the massive local market, causing devastating impacts on our existing product layout."

The executive sitting opposite nodded thoughtfully: "Your concern is not unfounded. Even if Yang Ping's team's success probability is only one percent, we must approach it with ninety-nine percent rigor. Potential threats are best dealt with in their nascent stage." He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa, "However, paying direct attention or clashing with a fledgling academic team, if word gets out, might look bad, easily triggering unnecessary public backlash and regulatory scrutiny, not worth the risk."

Robert Liu's lips curled into a knowing smile, he put down the cigar and leaned forward slightly: "Of course, we needn't take action ourselves. We've cultivated the Chinese market for years, don't we have many well-connected and tech-thirsty partners? Find a suitable one, provide them with some proper technical support, to help them quickly launch a 'self-developed' adjuvant product. Using 'domestic' and 'low price' as weapons, preempt the market, educate doctors and the public. By the time Yang Ping's team's distant 'dream adjuvant' might one day emerge from the lab, they may find the market's doors perhaps already blocked."

The room fell into a short silence, and then the group exchanged a tacit glance. An unspoken understanding was reached, revealing the cold logic of capital and markets at that moment.

It was then Li Gaoyang finally spoke up: "Never underestimate Professor Yang Ping's capabilities, he's a miracle worker, and we cannot model his thinking with normal logic. I remind everyone — although theoretically, his research has a very low success rate, I believe he will succeed, he will! The Chinese are incredible, MacArthur has already shown through his experience that we must take the Chinese seriously, or we'll end up like him — very miserably!"

"One more reminder, never let him think it's the giant company giving him a hard time again!"

Li Gaoyang rubbed his temples forcefully, his headache severe, possibly needing a second surgery.

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