Capítulo 19: Chapter 19
"Based on the pill you provided, Dr. List and I have identified several properties, but only two can be effectively synthesized and produced—one enhances physical recovery, and the other combats hunger.
From the properties we've analyzed, we conducted experiments to find substitute materials and developed these two new drugs," Dr. Smith explained while handing a box to Juan.
Juan took the box, which contained one blue and one green pill:
"What are the effects like?"
"After testing, the blue pill, which restores physical energy, can instantly recover half the stamina of an average adult male after exhaustion. It can be taken again after three hours.
The effect is less potent on physically stronger individuals and more effective on weaker ones. Stronger individuals can take the pill more frequently, while weaker ones need longer intervals between doses," Dr. Smith first described the blue pill.
Juan nodded:
"So, you mean to say that fit individuals like bodybuilders might not recover up to half of their stamina, maybe just a third or a quarter, but they wouldn't need to wait for three hours before taking another dose?
And for those who are weaker, like elderly men or children, their energy might recover more than half instantly, maybe even fully, but they would need to wait five or six hours to take another dose, right?"
"Exactly, we will continue testing and provide a detailed and comprehensive data sheet later."
Dr. Smith then picked up the green pill and continued:
"The green pill, which resists hunger, allows an average adult man to go a whole day without eating, with a maximum of three pills per day.
Again, there will be slight variations depending on the user's physique."
"That's great. What's the cost for each of these pills?"
Juan closed the box and placed it on the table.
The cost of the pills was crucial for determining the profitability of future sales. If the costs were too high to allow for profit, there would be no point in production.
Dr. Smith proudly raised his head:
"Don't worry, if the cost were too high, I wouldn't have declared the experiment a success. The average production cost of the blue pill is only 1 Soren, and the green pill even less, just half a Soren."
"Excellent, even lower than the cost of the strength pills!"
Juan smiled upon hearing the cost from Dr. Smith.
The Soren is the currency of Sokovia, approximately equal in value to one USD, whereas the previous strength pills cost five Sorens each.
Although the strength pills were marketed as a premium product with a retail price of one thousand Sorens each, they offered substantial profit margins.
A thousand Sorens per pill sounds expensive, but the world never lacks wealthy individuals willing to pay for rejuvenation and health suplement. Even ten thousand Sorens would find buyers.
Not just the wealthy, but even some middle and lower-income individuals occasionally spending a couple thousand Sorens for the pills.
The 200-fold profit from the strength pills helped Lee corporation rise from third-rate companies to top-tier.
"Strength pills, used long-term, enhance physical strength, using higher quality ingredients. The blue and green pills are only temporarily effective, so they use less expensive ingredients."
Dr. Smith explained the reasoning.
"The blue pills could be used in conjunction with strength pills, retailing at five hundred Sorens, while the green pills are sold cheaply at just one Soren. We're not aiming to make much profit from them; the main goal is to quickly enhance the reputation of Lee Corporation."
Juan already had a plan in mind looking at the two small pills on the table.
The strength pills combined with the blue pills would continue the high-end route, appealing to upper class customer with the promise of enhanced and sustained strength.
And the green hunger-resisting pills didn't need to be priced high because it wasn't a war era; most people could afford their meals.
The green pills would only be necessary for those truly impoverished, and selling them cheaply was meant as a charitable act to continue building his philanthropic reputation.
This reputation was not to be underestimated; maintaining a stellar public image would make the government think twice before acting against him.
A single Soren could feed someone for a day, potentially saving many lives.
And as long as the volume sold was significant, it could still be profitable, as many low-income people might occasionally use this method to save money for a while.
The specifics would still need to be handled by Jack, the head of marketing and sales. The strategy was clear, but it was best to leave the execution to professionals.
"Thank you for your hard work, Dr. Smith. If you need anything, you can contact Uncle Li. The Hydra organization that kidnapped you is vast, and until I've dealt with them, you're not free to leave the base."
According to Dr. List, a Hydra leader named John Garrett, who publicly acted as a high level S.H.I.E.L.D agent, wanted the formula for the strength pills.
After the Hydra base in Sokovia was exploded, Hydra would surely investigate. If Dr. Smith, who was supposed to be kidnapped at the base, safely returned home and continued working at Lee Corporation; it wouldn't be long before Hydra's agents came knocking again.
So three days after the bombing, he reported Dr. Smith missing to the Sokovian police and made a show of using all his connections to trace Dr. Smith's whereabouts, creating the illusion that he was unaware of Hydra's involvement.
Of course, John Garrett wanting the strength pill formula would eventually lead to trouble, but at least in his eyes, Juan was just a regular wealthy businessman.
And it wasn't all of Hydra after the formula, just John Garrett's faction.
"I understand, no worries. If you hadn't rescued me, I might be dead by now. Besides, I quite like this undisturbed research environment."
Dr. Smith waved his hand, obviously not minding his restricted freedom.
"Just keep an eye on Dr. List for me, make sure he doesn't cause any trouble."
As Dr. Smith prepared to leave, Juan thought for a moment and added a word of caution.
Dr. List was forcibly recruited and likely harbored resentment, so precautions were necessary.
However, Juan wasn't like S.H.I.E.L.D.; he wouldn't treat Dr. List like Zola. In his operation, Dr. List had no freedom and wasn't a trusted member.
He was essentially a prisoner, albeit one whose research abilities Juan needed, so he was provided with better living conditions than a typical prisoner.
Maybe someday, when Dr. List was no longer useful or a threat, he would consider releasing him.
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