Chapter 697 Opportunities in the Medical Industry

"Syringe?" Yang Wendong suddenly thought of a question and then asked, "Is it a disposable syringe?"

It has been more than ten years since he traveled through time. He has too many memories from his past life, and as time goes by, he has begun to forget them. After all, even the brains of young people today are normal human beings. Over time, they will always forget some things, unless they encounter something that can evoke memories.

In the past, the mainland, as a superpower, had a very big health risk, that is, there were too many patients with liver disease. The reason for so many liver diseases can be traced back to the 80s, when a large number of syringes were reused, leading to a large-scale spread of hepatitis B virus.

Of course, Chinese people’s eating habits also make it easy for some diseases to spread, but the proportion is not very large. In the future, 80-90% of liver cancer will be related to the spread of hepatitis B.

But there may still be a chance to avoid the hidden danger of syringes, which means that now is an opportunity to save millions of lives in the future.

"Disposable?" Zhang Guangdou quickly shook his head and said, "No, disposable syringes are too expensive. We can't afford them in China."

Yang Wendong immediately said: "Disposable ones are indeed very expensive, but if you use reusable ones, it may lead to the spread of some diseases, and the hidden risk is even greater."

Disposable syringes have actually been around for a long time. In the first half of this century, many organizations and scientists discovered the hidden dangers of reusing syringes, so some companies also developed disposable syringes.

This idea is naturally good, but the price is too high. The development of industry is a process of gradually reducing the prices of industrial products. For the same industrial products, the price ratio to per capita income in the 21st century and decades ago is very different.

Zhang Guangdou asked curiously, "Japan should also use reusable syringes, right? If even Japan uses them this way, there shouldn't be any problem if we use them too, right?"

"." Yang Wendong was also directly asked and said, "Okay, let's not talk about disposable ones first. Do you want me to have Changxing Industry produce syringes in Hong Kong?"

In fact, it was not a certain person or organization that pushed disposable syringes to become a global consensus, but the king of viruses that was about to emerge: HIV;

It is precisely because of HIV's almost 100% mortality rate and the horrifically long death process that, after the public understood its transmission pattern, the country and hospitals began to fully use disposable syringes, and the public was willing to pay for it.

Before that, common blood-borne diseases were all minor problems. Even hepatitis B only had a small probability of affecting the population and there were some drugs that could suppress it, but that was a long time in the future.

Therefore, even in developed countries such as Europe, the United States and Japan, many health institutions do not use disposable syringes. They simply disinfect with alcohol before replacing the next person. The more strict ones use high temperature disinfection, but few people can actually do it. This has led to the spread of many non-fatal diseases.

Zhang Guangdou said: "Yes, if we produce in Hong Kong, the cost should be more than half cheaper than importing from other countries. This way we can save foreign exchange, and Mr. Yang can also have an additional industry, which is killing two birds with one stone."

"I need to do some internal research." Yang Wendong did not agree directly. After all, he did not understand the technical aspects. It would be embarrassing if he agreed but could not do it.

Many very cheap industrial products actually have very high technological content, such as lighters, which most countries cannot actually produce;
It is estimated that the same is true for the mainland at this time. The industrial base is too poor, and the national level also needs to focus its core energy on some large industries related to national defense and people's livelihood. Some small-scale but time-consuming and labor-intensive industries can only be purchased from abroad for the time being.

"It is better to buy than to make", this concept was popular for a while after the reform and opening up, and was severely criticized afterwards; but in fact, it cannot be said to be completely wrong. There are thousands of industrial products in the world, and it is impossible for a country to make everything by itself. Even the mainland in 2025 cannot do this.

If I want to purchase, I naturally need to go through Hong Kong. However, Changxing Group has deep research in plastics, so it can indeed cooperate with domestic companies. I may also take advantage of this opportunity and enter the medical industry again.

Zhang Guangdou smiled and said, "Okay, then I will wait for Yang Sheng's good news."

After Zhang Guangdou left, Yang Wendong called Wei Zetao;

Nowadays, the heads of various subsidiaries work in Kangle Building and only go out when they have something to do. This also makes it much more convenient for Yang Wendong to ask questions than before.

"Have the plastic beverage bottles passed FDA certification?" Yang Wendong did not talk about his own business first, but asked about the more important business of Changxing Industrial at present.

Wei Zetao replied: "We are still going through the process. Pepsi has already used its connections, but it involves too many people using it. Even if the relationship is good, the FDA will still conduct a comprehensive safety inspection."

"It would be better if the inspection is more detailed. The beverage industry is used by almost everyone. If there really is a problem, we will be held responsible." Yang Wendong nodded and said.

In many cases, no matter how good the relationship is, it is just to facilitate some of your business processes; it does not require the other party to pass off fake things as real or do anything illegal;

As a large company, in fact, many times the company also hopes that the national level will have stricter supervision on safety. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, the bigger the company, the greater the backlash it will suffer.

Wei Zetao added: "According to PepsiCo, the FDA's test will take about a month. Once it passes, we can start trial production in the United States. As for the factory, we have also built a new factory near PepsiCo's New York factory."

"Okay, a month is not a long time, and we are not in a hurry." Yang Wendong paused, and then said, "Old Wei, I asked you to come here because there is another matter. China Resources found me."

As the boss finished explaining the process, Wei Zetao thought for a moment and said, "Syringe? I have never made this thing, but with our plastic manufacturing level, it is not difficult to make it. However, if we want to reach medical-grade standards, we need to invest in special equipment and buildings.

I am not very clear about the specific details, and I need to ask these industries overseas. In Hong Kong, there are actually not many companies that make medical devices, unless they make medical hardware or beds. "

"Well, let's go ask first, and then find out from the technicians to see if we can produce these in Hong Kong." Yang Wendong nodded, and then said: "In addition, we must focus on checking the patents and technical production issues of disposable syringes. I also want to produce this in Hong Kong."

Wei Zetao asked: "Doesn't China Resources want disposable syringes? Mr. Yang is planning to do this in Hong Kong and then expand into overseas markets?" "I have this plan, but I'll have to wait for your investigation to come out first." Yang Wendong did not explain much;

In fact, even today, the acceptance of disposable syringes overseas is probably not high;

Until HIV was discovered and various vaccines for infants and young children were introduced, adults were still willing to pay for the health of their children, which promoted the widespread use of disposable syringes.

As a traditional industry, it is difficult for latecomers to enter the medical industry. However, this turning point is a great opportunity. As long as we prepare the industrial chain and technology in Hong Kong, we can directly enter this industry when the time comes.

Even after the mainland's reform and opening up, it will be deterred by HIV and the entire country will be forced to start using disposable syringes. These are all opportunities, and it depends on whether we can seize them.

Of course, this industry is still far behind electronics and real estate, but it can make money and potentially save many lives, which is still more valuable, especially for the Chinese community. You don’t need to deliberately make large donations, but you can go with the flow and do some win-win things.

"Okay, Mr. Yang, I'll arrange for someone to investigate right away." Wei Zetao also saw that the boss attached great importance to this matter and replied immediately.

Hutchison Whampoa's Harbour City also entered a period of rapid construction, and Yang Wendong quickly obtained the complete plan provided by Zheng Zhijie.

"The entire mall will be completed by the end of next year?" Yang Wendong asked after reading the report, "Does that mean it can start business in early 75?"

Zheng Zhijie replied: "Yes, in fact, as long as the money is in place, the main structure can be completed at the beginning of next year, but because it is a shopping mall, the subsequent decoration and various entertainment facilities have relatively high requirements, which will take more than half a year to complete;

Before, Wharf Mall was in the hands of Jardine Matheson, and the construction process was too conservative and the speed was too slow. Now I have reached an agreement with HSBC. HSBC will provide HK$2.5 million in the first batch. After the mall opens, the amount and interest of the next batch of funds will be determined based on consumption, and then the apartments, hotels and office buildings above the mall will be built. "

"Okay, this plan is suitable for commercial development." Yang Wendong nodded with satisfaction and said, "Then execute it. In addition, we must pay attention to safety, environmental protection, and fire protection. In my plan, Harbour City will be the largest cash cow project of the Wharf Group."

When the time is right, he will find a way to privatize Wharf Holdings, and Harbour City will be one of his huge sources of wealth in the future.

"Understood. Mr. Yang, rest assured about this." Zheng Zhijie agreed and asked, "One more thing. We only have 40% of the shares now. Do we need to conduct a private placement?"

Yang Wendong shook his head and said, "No, let's wait another half a year. If we increase the number of shares now, we need to use the highest price in the past six months, which is not good for us. After half a year, when the stock price drops, we can increase the number of shares. Now we control the company and have 4% of the shares, which is actually not much different from 49.9%."

If Jardine Matheson controlled 4% of Wharf Holdings' shares at the beginning, Yang Wendong would not have been able to snatch them away no matter how jealous he was, because it was an impossible goal; now that he controls 4%, even if ExxonMobil wanted to acquire Wharf Holdings, it would not be able to succeed.

Hong Kong law also has regulations regarding private placement of shares. The price must be the highest price within six months. Otherwise, the individuals and families who control the company will just set a low price at will to increase their shares?
During the previous acquisition period, the highest share price of Wharf Holdings was close to 30. This price was naturally not cost-effective. After waiting for half a year, given the economic crisis in Hong Kong, even if Wharf Holdings' stock did not fall to the bottom, it would not be better than before.

Of course, the same goes for future privatization. These are all restricted by the law, and the controlling family cannot do whatever they want. This is why we have to wait. In any case, Hong Kong’s economic crisis will continue for some time in the future, especially since there will be a global oil crisis later.

"Okay, then half a year later." Zheng Zhijie nodded.

Yang Wendong asked again: "Is everything going well at Pier 3?"

Zheng Zhijie smiled and said, "There's no problem over there. The Hong Kong government has also sent people to warn some people not to cause trouble. Those British guys don't dare to do anything."

"Haha, Murray MacLehose is really smart." Yang Wendong smiled.

As the most famous governor in Hong Kong's history, he did not get this title for nothing. He knew that there would inevitably be confrontation between the Chinese and British sides within Kowloon Wharf. The Hong Kong government did not care about other businesses and was even happy to see the two sides at odds. However, the port was the lifeline of Hong Kong's economy. If something big happened and became international news, he, the governor, would be disgraced for the rest of his life.

Zheng Zhijie said: "Yes, this is also good for us."

"That's it. Hutchison Whampoa will take over gradually, and let the British guys who are willing to cooperate with us take over the company's rights." Yang Wendong continued.

Zheng Zhijie agreed: "Yes, Mr. Yang."

Hong Kong's economy is still declining as expected and is half-dead. Yang Wendong doesn't care. His first goal has been achieved. Further economic decline has little to do with him. The harder the Hang Seng Index falls, the easier it will be to buy at the bottom in the future. It's still early and there is no rush.

Time soon came to the end of May;

Wei Zetao and Zhou Haoran went to the boss' office together and said, "Mr. Yang, we have asked many companies about the manufacturing equipment and technology of syringes, but they all refused to sell the technology. In the end, only a German company said they could discuss it. They said they could produce it in Hong Kong, but it would require some preliminary training."

"Another German?" Yang Wendong was a little surprised;
Previously, I wanted to set up a third-party organization to facilitate myself and the Hong Kong company. My subordinates also asked many well-known brands in many countries, but were all rejected. Only a German company, TUV, agreed to cooperate, and now the project has started in Hong Kong.

Wei Zetao smiled and said, “It may be because the Asian region, especially the mainland which has just made peace with the West, countries like Japan and the United States are all ready to make a fortune, and probably only want to sell products, not equipment technology;
On the other hand, Germany doesn’t have much of a market in Asia, so it doesn’t matter.”

PS: Please give me a monthly ticket
(End of this chapter)

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