Chapter 114 Stabilizing the Governor

At nine o'clock the next morning, Mu Xin brought Jessica and Victoria. Professor Keller had said that when meeting people from the Technology Transfer Office, one shouldn't go empty-handed.

"Empty-handed" didn't mean not bringing gifts; it meant not bringing lawyers or financial advisors.

University technology negotiations are essentially business negotiations. The other party has a legal team; if you are alone on your side, you wouldn't even understand the contract terms, let alone bargain.

Professor Keller was waiting at the entrance of the Medical Center. Seeing the two beauties behind Mu Xin, who could be described as pageant-grade white women, he was slightly stunned, then nodded.

"Mr. Mu, you are very well prepared."

"I said before, I am not just here to take a look around," Mu Xin smiled, "I am here to get things done."

The director of the Technology Transfer Office, Pamela Hunter, was a capable woman in her fifties. She didn't engage in small talk and got straight to the point.

"Mr. Mu, I have checked your background. An international student in Oxford Town, you have invested in the Water Plant, power plant, hotel, and Medical Center, totaling nearly 300 million US dollars."

Mu Xin's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't speak.

"Your investment record is very clean, and every transaction is verifiable," Pamela closed the file.

"But what I don't understand is, why do you want to invest in Professor Keller's organoid platform?"

"To be honest, the commercial prospects of this project are not as good as Bexorg."

"I know," Mu Xin said, "but Bexorg's ethical issues are too serious; I don't want to touch them."

"What else?" she asked.

"Furthermore, although Professor Keller's platform is not as precise as Bexorg, it is safer, more controllable, and more ethical."

"And it is already mature. Over the past three years, it has tested twelve drugs, and two have shown significant results."

"Are you betting that Professor Keller can win?"

"I am betting on science," Mu Xin's tone was calm, "Director Hunter, I am not here to bargain with you; I am here to do business with you."

Pamela flipped through the documents and looked up at him, "What conditions do you want?"

"I will invest 80 million US dollars—30 million in the first phase and 50 million in the second—to build an independent neuroscience research center in Oxford Town."

"I will have priority commercialization rights, and Professor Keller will serve as the director."

Pamela was silent for a moment. "Three questions. First, why build the research center in Oxford Town?"

"It's close to my Medical Center and close to Miami University. I will cover the land and construction costs." Mu Xin had already prepared the answer to this question.

"Second question, will Professor Keller be full-time or part-time?"

"Full-time. The entire team will relocate, and I will cover the costs," Mu Xin said without changing his expression.

"Last question, if Bexorg succeeds, will you regret it?"

Mu Xin smiled, "I don't do business that I regret. I have chosen the path I believe is right; whether it succeeds or not is a matter for the future."

Pamela closed the file, "The intellectual property rights must belong to the university; that cannot change. We will add a time limit to the priority commercialization rights: if conversion is not initiated within three years, the university has the right to reclaim it."

"Agreed." Mu Xin did not bargain. Once Professor Keller's results were commercially viable, he would commercialize them immediately.

Pamela stood up. "Before next Wednesday, the board will give you an answer. Barring any surprises, the deal should go through."

Walking out of the office, Professor Keller let out a long sigh. "Mr. Mu, this was more nerve-wracking than applying for funding when I was young."

Mu Xin smiled and said nothing. He took out his phone and sent a message to Governor DeWine:

"Found a better company. I will report to you in person tomorrow."

Governor DeWine replied instantly, "Okay."

...

At three o'clock the next afternoon, Mu Xin sat in a small conference room in the Governor's office building.

Governor DeWine asked straight to the point, "You said you found a better company than Bexorg?"

Mu Xin pushed Professor Keller's feasibility study report across the table. "An organoid platform that uses stem cells to cultivate mini-brains to test drugs."

"There are no ethical controversies, no consciousness, and it does not perceive pain. The technology is not as precise as Bexorg, but it is sufficient."

"Over the past three years, it has tested twelve drugs for parkinsons disease, and two have shown significant results. Patents are being applied for, and we are preparing to start clinical trials."

Governor DeWine flipped through the report, his fingers pausing. "Are you asking me to give up on Bexorg?"

"Change paths. Bexorg is betting on Biohaven's drug, which has a failure rate of over 90 percent."

"Your son's illness cannot afford that kind of gamble. Professor Keller's project has a higher success rate. Even if the drug fails, the value of the platform itself will not disappear; it can continuously produce results."

"I have reached an agreement with him: 80 million US dollars to build a research center in Oxford Town, connected to the Medical Center. This is a complete industry, not a one-off deal."

Governor DeWine was silent for a long time. He lowered his head and looked at his hands, which were covered in age spots.

"Mr. Mu, do you know what I am most afraid of?"

"Time. You are afraid that your child won't live to see that day," Mu Xin said patiently.

"No, it is hope. I am afraid that you give me hope today, only for it to be shattered."

Mu Xin did not respond. He was getting a bit annoyed; this old man was so damn fickle and difficult to deal with.

"What is Professor Keller's success rate? Twenty percent? Thirty? It's not one hundred percent. If his drug fails too, what will happen to my son?"

"Governor, I am not a doctor; I am an investor. What I can do is invest money in the place with the most hope, and then wait."

"Professor Keller is currently the best choice. If you feel it's not enough, I can keep looking."

"If you insist on Bexorg, I will write a check right now, but you have to make a decision."

Governor DeWine gave a bitter smile, "You always make me choose."

"Because you are the one who makes the decisions," Mu Xin shrugged helplessly.

Governor DeWine was silent for a long time, and finally nodded slowly.

"I agree to your plan, but I have a condition: I want to meet Professor Keller, see his laboratory in person, and hear from him directly how confident he is."

"Okay, I will arrange it." Mu Xin had anticipated this before coming.

Governor DeWine leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

"Mr. Mu, do you know what I appreciate most about you? You never lie to me; what you give me are the facts."

"Facts are cruel, but they are better than lies."

Mu Xin stood up without changing his expression and said, "Governor, I am doing business, but your son's life is more important than business."

Governor DeWine stood up and shook his hand, "Pleasure doing business with you."

When Mu Xin walked out of the office building, the sunlight was blinding. He stood on the steps, squinting his eyes, and took a deep breath.

John had already driven the car to the entrance. He rolled down the window and looked at Mu Xin.

"How did it go?"

"Very well," Mu Xin pulled open the car door and sat in the back seat, "It couldn't be better."

Governor DeWine had agreed, Professor Keller's project was moving forward, and everything was going according to plan.

Back in Oxford Town, Mu Xin treated himself to a rare sleep-in; he felt a bit tired.

He didn't get up until 11 o'clock the next day. It wasn't that he wanted to wake up, but he had been awakened by a strange phone call.