Carter, who was caring for his father suffering from pancreatic cancer,was struck by a bolt from the blue when he watched the news today.
A massive organization calling itself the National Pharmaceutical Alliancehad formally objected to the FDA approval of Luktic's new drugs.
"…This makes no sense.These drugs have already been properly approved and are being used successfully in Korea—so why…?"
Of course, approval by Korea's MFDSand approval by the U.S. FDA were entirely separate matters.
Each country holds sovereign authorityover the approval and regulation of pharmaceuticals.
However, when a new drug demonstrates outstanding efficacyagainst life-threatening severe diseases,it is common practice worldwideto streamline approval procedures as much as possibleand allow rapid clinical use.
That was because the need to conduct long-term safety verificationwas relatively lower in such cases.
Patients suffering from severe illnessesoften faced a high likelihood of deathif they failed to receive effective treatment.
For that reason, when a new drug shows remarkable effectsagainst critical diseases,regulatory agencies typically grantemergency approval or fast-track authorization,even if long-term safety data is still incomplete.
A well-known example was the COVID-19 vaccinesduring the global pandemic.
After rapid Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials,they received emergency use authorizationin less than a year after development.
COVID-19 was not as lethal as cancer or rare diseases,but due to its devastating societal impact,such measures were deemed necessary.
Of course, years later,numerous side-effect cases emerged worldwidefollowing mass vaccination.
"…No…If approval is delayed even a little…my father…"
Pancreatic cancer was among the deadliest of all cancers.
And Carter's father was already in Stage Three—a stage where modern medicinecould not realistically attempt curative treatment.
He had less than six months left.
Even that was the most optimistic scenario.
It would not be surprisingif his condition deteriorated rapidlyand he passed away within one or two months.
The only hope leftwas receiving Luktic's new drugas soon as possible.
***
After the Skin Regeneration Agent and Elixirbegan being distributed across Korea's medical field,governments from all over the worldstarted contacting Luktic.
They said they were preparing special approval proceduresand asked whether Luktic could export Elixir to their countries immediately.
I also heard that medical tourism to Koreahad surged noticeably in recent weeks.
Early-stage patients with severe illnesses—those who could afford treatment without insuranceand were still physically capable of flying—were coming to Koreato receive Elixir-based treatment.
Elixir truly was worth that level of attention.
From the perspective of modern humanity,it was practically a miracle drug—capable of treating or dramatically improvingsevere diseases that had previously been untreatable.
The Skin Regeneration Agent was the same—a miraculous new drugfor patients suffering from skin injuriesthat conventional medicine could never restore.
However, after the National Pharmaceutical Alliancebegan obstructing FDA approval of Luktic's new drugs,the flood of inquiries from foreign governmentsgradually slowed.
There was no doubt.
Big Pharma companies belonging to the alliancewere lobbying governments around the world.
Global pharmaceutical giants were often describedas the most powerful lobbying interest groups on Earth.
Through rebates, bribes, and political pressure,they manipulated legislators, judges,and high-ranking officials across nations.
They were almost certainly using the same logicthat Shinjeon Group had once used against us.
That Korea's government had rushedclinical trials and approval procedures,and therefore safety had not been adequately verified.
As a result, foreign governments were likelyholding their breathand watching how the FDA—the world's most authoritative regulatory body—would respond.
Dong-sik complained bitterly.
"Damn it…Big corporations clinging to their rice bowlsare the same everywhere—Korea or overseas.If even one executive from those Big Pharma companiesturns out to be secretly drinking Luktic Drink,I swear I won't let it slide!"
Come to think of it,Chairman Choi Chang-sik of Daesung Grouphad told me that after drinking Luktic Drink,the stiffness and fatigue he'd felt for yearshad completely vanished.
Just as Dong-sik said,executives at the overseas pharmaceutical companiestrying to suppress usmight very well be purchasing Luktic Drinkand consuming it regularly themselves.
The wealthier and more powerful people were,the more obsessively they guarded their health.
And if they ever developed a diseasethat could only be treated with Elixir,they would undoubtedly fly to Koreaand receive treatment without hesitation.
Humans were truly contradictory creatures.
But that was simply how the world workedwhen interests were involved.
All we could dowas accept reality and fight back.
At least there was one silver lining.
They still didn't knowthat during Korea's MFDS approval process,we had been exempted from submitting detailed ingredient compositionsand manufacturing process information.
By principle, such data submitted during approvalwas kept strictly confidential.
From an outsider's perspective,there was no way to knowwhether that information had been submitted or not.
If they ever discovered that fact,they would certainly use itas a powerful weapon against us.
I discussed the situation with CTO Kang Joo-tae.
He gave me this advice:
"CEO, steering this FDA approval processin Luktic's favor is extremely important.The FDA is the most trusted food and drug regulatory authority in the world.Regulators across the globe place enormous weighton FDA decisions when reviewing new drugs.
Some developing countries—lacking the capacityto conduct independent reviews—even recognize FDA approvalas automatic authorization for domestic sales.
In effect, FDA approvalis the largest gateway to the global market."
"That's what I thought.Director Kang, the U.S. midterm elections are approaching.I want to use that timingto influence American politicsand counter Big Pharma.What do you think?"
"Certainly.There will be many Americanswho desperately want Elixir and the Skin Regeneration Agentapproved and imported as soon as possible.
If their voices grow loud enough,U.S. politicians will be forced to respond."
"And if we announce the developmentof the hair-loss treatment at a time like this,it should have a positive effect, right?"
"Yes, CEO.Without a doubt."
Luktic began preparing a press conference.
Unlike the time we faced Shinjeon Group,this time Luktic alone could host a press conferenceand draw every major broadcasting station and newspaper in Koreawith nothing more than a single announcement.
After Elixir and the Skin Regeneration Agenttriggered a revolution in Korea's medical system,Luktic's status had changed completely.
The press conference hall was silent.
Only camera flashes, shutter sounds,and the intermittent tapping of laptop keyboardsfilled the air.
Standing at the podium,I made the announcement.
That Luktic had developed a new drug.
And that the name of this drug was—
a hair-loss treatment.
The moment the words "hair-loss treatment"left my mouth,camera flashes exploded like lightning in a storm,searing my vision.
"CEO Hyun Si-woo!What level of treatment are you referring to?"
"Does it merely prevent further hair loss?Or can it actually restore lost hair?"
I displayed photos on the large screen behind me—before-and-after imagesof scalps belonging to thosewho had already benefited from the treatment.
"We regenerate hair follicles and hair roots,allowing hair to grow again.You can think of itas a drug that completely cures hair loss."
The room erupted.
Flashes.Shutters.Keyboards.Murmurs.
"…No way!"
"This can't be real!"
"CEO Hyun!How long until it's commercially available?"
"Approval by the MFDSmay not take as long as you expect.This hair-loss treatment is based on our existing Skin Regeneration Agent,so it qualifies for the modified new drug approval pathway,which is relatively streamlined."
I emphasized that point deliberately.
The announcement of a hair-loss curewould undoubtedly dominate global headlines.
And an enormous number of menwould become intensely interested.
After all, hair-loss rates among Caucasian menwere significantly higherthan among East Asian men.
But the hair-loss treatment was basedon the Skin Regeneration Agent.
Which meant—
If the Skin Regeneration Agent was not approved by the FDA,approval of the hair-loss treatmentwould also be delayed.
This fact would become yet another powerful incentivefor Americans desperate for a hair-loss cureto demand that the FDAapprove Luktic's drugs quickly.
From there, the plan was simple:
Gradually increase public pressureon American politicians and the FDA—enough to rival Big Pharma's lobbying power.
After all, the overwhelming technological advantagebelonged to Luktic.
There was no drug on Earthcapable of replacing Elixir.
Importing Elixirwas an overwhelming benefitfor any nation.
Right now, governments were still hesitantbecause it was a new drug.
But as time passedand Elixir's efficacy continued to be verified,they would eventually be the onesbegging us—on their knees—to export it to them.
Big Pharma might try to buy timeto imitate our technology.
But copying technology derivedfrom the Akashic Recordswas simply impossible.
Though it appearedthat global pharmaceutical giantswere launching a fierce attack against us,the truth was simpler—
They were terrified.
And with the midterm elections approaching,the odds were actually on our side.
Everything had already been discussed with Target.
Using its network and capital,Target would ensure that news of the hair-loss treatment—along with Elixir's miraculous treatment cases—received widespread coverageacross U.S. media outlets.
For now,I decided to waitand observe the reactionof American society.
***
[Breaking News – Luktic CEO Hyun Si-woo Announces Development of Hair-Loss Treatment][Comments: 279,417]
Release it now!
This is insane—if that announcement is true,hair loss can really be completely cured?
MFDS, get your act together.If approval isn't completed this year,I'm storming your headquarters—
Are you crazy? Delete that comment!That's basically a terror threat!
Unbelievable.Elixir and the Skin Regeneration Agent alonewould already go down in medical history.And now a hair-loss cure too?Is Luktic secretly torturing aliensin their basement or something?
At this rate, this might becomeour country's next major export industry—after semiconductors.
***
[Korea's Luktic Declares Development of Hair-Loss Treatment](Manhattan Times)
[Comments: 8,372,583]
Wow—what did I just read?You can cure hair loss?Not like minoxidil or finasteride—but actually regrow hair?
Oh my God!This needs to be imported to the U.S. immediately!
It says it's based on the Skin Regeneration Agentthat was in the news with Elixir before, right?Then if the Skin Regeneration Agent gets FDA approval,the hair-loss treatment should be approved quickly too.
Exactly.The FDA also has a "modified new drug" pathway.
Too bad.Big Pharma formed something calledthe National Pharmaceutical Allianceto obstruct FDA approval.
What?! Those bastards!I need that hair-loss treatment desperately!
Howard, Head of Overseas Product Planning at Target,felt a strange thrillas he watched the fiery reactionsacross American internet communities.
"CEO Hyun Si-woo…He's even better at public opinion warfarethan I imagined."
Then he subconsciously rubbedhis own smooth bald head.
"…A hair-loss cure, huh.Impressive.Next time I'm in Korea,maybe I should ask him for a small favor."
Howard already knew the plan Luktic had prepared.
By widely publicizingElixir's extraordinary efficacy,the development of the hair-loss treatment,and the fact that it was based on the Skin Regeneration Agent,they would build overwhelming public demandfor fast FDA approval.
Once that demand reached a boiling point,Target would help spread the narrative—through friendly media outlets, SNS, and online communities—that Big Pharma was deliberately obstructing approvalto protect their own interests.
That was the counterstrategy Luktic had shared with him.
Howard chuckled softly.
"Interesting…So you even factored inthe U.S. midterm elections."
He had never imaginedhe'd become involvedin a corporate war of this magnitude.
Thanks to CEO Hyun and Luktic,every day felt new.
***
Chairman White of WhiteLily slammed his fist on the desk.
"Damn it!Now they've even developed a hair-loss drug?!Are they collecting achievements like trading cards?How can such a tiny companykeep developing revolutionary drugs back to back?!"
Incomplete hair-loss treatments—alongside erectile dysfunction drugs and diet pills—were one of WhiteLily's core revenue pillars.
"Hair-loss drugs are absolutely unacceptable!That's one of our main products!If what Luktic announced is true,the moment it's exported worldwide,our hair-loss drug sales will collapse completely!"
For once, the usually composed Chairman Whitewas red-faced with fury.
"And now they're even manipulating U.S. mediato shape public opinion in their favor?How can a small Korean company pull that off—wait…"
An aide nodded.
"Yes, Chairman.Their business partner is the American distribution giant Target.We believe Target is the one driving the media coverage."
"Damn it…I thought Target was a declining companylosing ground to Walmart and Costco.So even a rotten fish is still a fish, huh."
"Target is probably risking everything on this.They've finally found a chance to rebound after years of decline."
The aide abruptly stopped, realizinghe had inadvertently praised Luktic.
White exhaled slowly.
"…It's fine.We must look at this situation objectively.Luktic's technology is extraordinary—there's no denying that.But we cannot sit still and wait to die.Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Chairman. Of course."
White stared outthrough the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office,gazing at the Manhattan skyline.
Meanwhile, Luktic and Targetwere moving forwardwith Phase Two of Hyun Si-woo's plan.
That phase was simple:
To demonize Big Pharmain the eyes of the American publicas companies deliberately blocking life-saving drugsfor profit.