Chapter 306 - Chapter 467: Good News That Isn't Too Good

Hughes Medical Research Institute is one of the most famous non-profit medical research institutes in the United States. With the global bio-terror outbreak, under the coordination of the World Health Organization, the Hughes Medical Research Institute has become the research center for the 'Angel Team' to develop a specific medicine for the vfv virus.Qiu Xiang led several members of his team toward the conference room.Qiu Xiang now had a report in his hand concerning vfv antibody research, but there wasn't much joy on anyone's face.Using antibodies from a patient's serum or body fluids to treat viral infections was a tried-and-true method, and the most commonly used tactic. Through their research during this period, the team discovered that the antibodies in the patients' serum were too weak and simply could not clear the vfv virus.Furthermore, they had no way of finding patients in the convalescent period. The vfv virus was too toxic; the antibodies produced by the human immune system were completely unable to 'kill' the virus.This had led their research into a specific medicine to a complete standstill.After discussion, the team decided to try animal immune serum. They brought in eight types of animals for experiments and infected them with the virus, but they soon discovered that even immunized bovine serum had no obvious effect on treating vfv.During this time, they had been conducting experiments every day, trying hundreds of possible methods.They tried every possible hypothesis they had discussed, and ultimately found that the one with the highest chance of success was monoclonal antibodies.To speed up the research, the 72-person team was divided into eight groups. Four groups were responsible for finding other therapeutic drugs, while the other four groups were responsible for testing the 16 types of monoclonal antibodies that had been developed. The team led by Qiu Xiang was one of those groups.During testing, all four groups used 1000 times the LD50 (median lethal dose) to infect experimental mice.Within 24 hours of infection, the mice were injected with monoclonal antibodies. Out of the 16 types of monoclonal antibodies across the four groups, 11 remained effective. At 48 hours, 5 antibodies were still effective. At 72 hours, only two antibodies remained effective.One was an antibody researched by the first group led by him, and the other was researched by the third group led by the British medical scientist Judson.Having found these two antibodies, they began trying experiments on rabbits. At 24 hours, both antibodies were effective. After 48 hours, the capabilities of the monoclonal antibodies began to show significant differences; many lost their activity, and as more time passed, the effect of the antibodies became weaker and weaker.The incubation period of the vfv virus far exceeded this timeframe. Such antibodies simply could not be used for treatment, and the research hit a stalemate once again.Finally, after everyone's discussion, they decided to adopt the 'cocktail' method used during the research of the EBOR specific medicine. They mixed the four monoclonal antibodies with the best effects and used a virus capable of producing human interferon as an adjuvant for the 'cocktail' antibodies, allowing the 'cocktail' to remain effective even 72 hours after infection.They named this 'cocktail' agent AG72.And now, the test results for AG72 were in Qiu Xiang's hands.Looking at the report in his hand, he couldn't bring himself to be happy because the results were different from what they had imagined.As Qiu Xiang, Judson, and the others entered the conference room, they felt dozens of pairs of eyes fall upon them. Many researchers on the scene did not look well. Since the 72-person team was formed, their research had made some progress, but it wasn't much. Now, all hope rested on the reports in the hands of Qiu Xiang and Judson."You do it." Qiu Xiang handed the report in his hand to Judson."You do it." Judson shook his head and didn't reach out to take it.Qiu Xiang nodded helplessly. Once everyone was seated, he had his assistant distribute the report to every researcher present and walked up to the podium."The test results for the monoclonal antibodies are out, and they differ from what we predicted. We tested the effects of AG72 on two rhesus monkeys. On the fourth day of infection, the monkeys showed symptoms, and according to the plan, we injected them with AG72. But unfortunately, the virus in the monkeys' bodies did not disappear; the vfv was not cured." Qiu Xiang's voice was heavy.A chorus of sighs rang out in the conference room. Many experts shook their heads with distressed expressions.Monoclonal antibodies were the most promising direction for success in the short term. If monoclonal antibodies failed, it would take much longer for a specific medicine to appear.Currently, the number of people infected with the vfv virus worldwide has reached over 26,000, and this number is being refreshed every day. The death toll has also soared to 2,378, with not a single case cured yet. If a therapeutic drug is not developed, it means the death toll will only keep rising."However, there is a piece of good news that isn't too good."Everyone instantly perked up, pricking up their ears to wait for Qiu Xiang's answer."The rhesus monkeys injected with AG72 did not see their condition worsen further within a week. AG72 cannot cure the vfv condition, but it can inhibit vfv metabolism and control the further deterioration of the disease. This achievement can buy more treatment time for the condition."Many people on the scene clapped excitedly, some weeping with joy. At a time like this, any small piece of good news was heartening.The 'Angel Team' made a breakthrough in the specific medicine for the vfv virus, successfully developing a monoclonal antibody agent that inhibits the deterioration of the vfv condition.When the news was released, it spread to every corner of the world like wildfire, sparking global excitement.This is the most severe period of the vfv virus, a time of global panic, where the biological virus has almost reached the tipping point of being completely out of control. At this moment, the good news from the 72-person team was undoubtedly the most heartening thing.The dawn of victory in this biological war has appeared.While the outside world was cheering for the achievements of the 72-person group, in another corner, there was a similar joyous occasion.Jianghe Microorganism Medical Research Institute.A rare smile hung on Xu Minsheng's face.After Jianghe Company and Lanhong Pharmaceutical were merged by the Army Ant Group and reorganized into Jianghe Pharmaceutical, he became one of the team leaders for pharmaceutical development at Jianghe Pharmaceutical, responsible for the development of tumor vaccines.The current headquarters of Jianghe Pharmaceutical is the primary microorganism medical research institute for Haixing Company. Most of Haixing Company's main drugs were developed here.Some time ago, Chen Mo contacted them and gave them a research direction, along with some data. He asked the research institute's team to produce the drugs related to the data, stating that the drugs might be able to reduce the activity of the vfv virus and help in its treatment.Now is the most terrifying time of the vfv virus outbreak. Upon receiving Chen Mo's order, the entire research institute team immediately gathered personnel and set about developing the drug.The team concentrated the strength of the elite personnel from the entire institute, thoroughly digested the data provided by Chen Mo, and worked in shifts to research. Finally, they made progress.During this period, they contacted Chen Mo several times to ask questions about the research direction. After several major breakthroughs, they finally completed the required agent according to Chen Mo's intentions.They named the developed agent HX3.Now, the metabolic activity of the vfv virus in the Petri dish significantly decreased 24 hours after the HX3 agent was added. The drug has met Chen Mo's requirements."We've succeeded." Xu Minsheng showed a rare smile."We've succeeded." Several researchers around him also nodded and let out a deep breath."Organize the report; it needs to be handed over to the boss. I'll go ask the boss how to handle HX3 next." After speaking, Xu Minsheng turned and left the laboratory.