Chapter 1656

Kobayashi Stomach Pill was the key product of Kobayashi Pharma, which generated most of the company’s revenues and profit. Kobayashi Pharma would definitely suffer a devastating loss if they rivaled Apothecary Stomach Pill heads-on after it was launched.

Therefore, someone asked Kobayashi Masayoshi, “Mr. Chairman, we can’t just sit and await our dooms! Do you have any idea on how to deal with it?”

Masayoshi replied, “Indeed, there is a way to deal with it. We must increase our investment in drug research and development, and we must also quickly upgrade our current products. If our Kobayashi Stomach Pill can surpass Apothecary Stomach Pill in terms of potency, I’m sure we can dominate and monopolize the market!”

The person in charge of research and development continued, “Mr. Chairman, if we want to increase the funding for our department, we need a huge budget. Can we still afford it since the company was scammed not long ago?”

Masayoshi cleared his throat and answered, “This is what I’m about to tell you. Our current capital flow is not very optimistic. This is due to the huge investment we put in on the Osaka production base, coupled with the previous unexpected losses. All these incidents have left us with less than 50 million dollars to invest in research and development. My idea is to raise funds as soon as possible. I would like at least one billion dollars to upgrade our research and development laboratory!”

Everyone sat upright as soon as they heard about the fundraising proposal. Someone in the crowd added, “Mr. Chairman, do you have a suitable financing partner now?”

Masayoshi nodded and said, “Chairman Jiro has been consulting and negotiating with Ito Yahiko-san, the patriarch of the Ito family, regarding the financing matter. I’m sure you all know about this.”

The crowd nodded.

Kobayashi Jiro had always wanted to obtain Ito Yahiko’s investment and even wanted to become his son-in-law. That was why he was willing to spend so much money sponsoring the combat and fighting championship in which Nanako participated. This was an open secret within Kobayashi Pharma.

In fact, everyone was anticipating the corporate marriage between Kobayashi Pharma and the Ito family, but unfortunately, Jiro disappeared before the marriage was officially proposed.

Everyone assumed that the cooperation with the Ito family would be terminated following Jiro’s disappearance, but never did they expect that Masayoshi would reignite negotiations with the Ito family again.

The audience was worked up by the news, and another question was asked, “Mr. Chairman, how much can the Ito family give us?”

Masayoshi cleared his throat and spoke, “Ito Yahiko-san of the Ito family is willing to invest 4.5 billion dollars in Kobayashi Pharma at a valuation of 15 billion, representing 30% of Kobayashi Pharma after the investment!”

“A valuation of 15 billion?!”

The beserk crowd burst into chatter that echoed across the conference room.

This was not the valuation that Jiro and Yahiko had talked about. Back then, Jiro had informed them that the valuation would be at least 20 billion. Why had it suddenly dropped so much now?

Someone questioned, “Mr. Chairman, the previous offer from the Ito family was not this low. Why did it shrink so much all of a sudden?”

Another person interjected, “That’s right! It should be at least 22 billion. A valuation of 15 billion is daylight robbery…”

Masayoshi grimaced awkwardly and said, “You have to understand that we are facing internal and external problems now. Not only did Jiro disappear into thin air, but the Apothecary Stomach Pill had also emerged on the Oskia market. If we don’t take advantage of the investment now, we will be caught unprepared by the Apothecary Stomach Pill, which will greatly affect our performance. By then, we probably can’t even get a 10 billion valuation!”