The EPO from Amgen Biopharmaceuticals had yet to find its market, not due to the product's ineffectiveness, but rather because Amgen Biopharmaceuticals lacked the funds necessary for promotion. This financial shortfall was the true reason for the company's inability to sustain itself.
However, through connections with hospitals, Amgen was poised for a turnaround!
Backed by Prestige Capital, Amgen Biopharmaceuticals entered negotiations with major hospitals across the United States, aiming to persuade them to use EPO products.
Amgen was ready to make waves!
After nine years of diligent work, EPO was designed to treat anemia caused by chronic renal failure and anemia stemming from HIV infection, making it a crucial advancement for patients undergoing hemodialysis.
After a month of promoting EPO, hospitals commenced its cautious use, ultimately ramping up its application significantly. Amgen Biopharmaceuticals soon began to thrive in the market.
The flood of orders nationwide generated remarkable profits for Amgen!
Prestige Capital's first significant investment—an eye-popping $150 million—paid off massively. In no time, Amgen Biopharmaceuticals' EPO became an indispensable medication for hospitals, experiencing robust sales and presenting unlimited potential for the company! Prestige Capital's 70% stake in Amgen ensured substantial returns.
Prestige Capital's rapid ascent in the venture capital landscape astonished the industry!
With its newfound fame, Henry had an easier time attracting professional managers to Prestige Capital. Through a headhunting firm, he identified a strong woman with exceptional capabilities, whom he intended to recruit as the CEO of Prestige Capital.
Kailena, an investment prodigy, had gained admission to Harvard University's Department of Economics at the tender age of 13 and graduated by 16. Over the next three years, she worked at JPMorgan Bank, Sequoia Capital, and Goldman Sachs Group, eventually becoming a senior analyst in Goldman Sachs' investment department. Kailena championed investments in high-tech innovative companies, and while at Sequoia Capital, she had advocated for investment in AOL. This recommendation led to Sequoia Capital making a move to support the web giant.
In 1988, while at Goldman Sachs, Kailena contended in her report that "Isearch has massive potential, and the company must invest in it!"
Goldman Sachs did express intent to invest in Isearch, but Henry turned them down flatly. After all, Isearch didn't require Goldman Sachs to back it—didn't they have their funds?
These experiences initially drew Kailena's attention toward Henry. As a new venture capital firm, Prestige required bold innovation, and it needed leaders with distinct vision. Kailena fit this profile perfectly. Though younger, she had great potential and the youthful management style that aligns with entrepreneurial spirit and passion!
But it wouldn't be easy for Henry to woo her. As a rising star, Kailena had a bright future at Goldman Sachs and was initially uninterested in leaving.
Recently, however, Prestige Capital's investment in Amgen generated impressive results, leading Kailena to agree to meet with Henry. Determining whether she would join Prestige Capital depended on how compellingly Henry could persuade her.
Their meeting was set in New York.
Henry flew from Los Angeles to New York Airport, accompanied by four bodyguards, as opposed to his usual two. He anticipated that one day, he would need to train at the Blackwater Training Base to learn special forces techniques for personal protection—better to rely on oneself.
Seated in first-class cabin, where the affluent typically congregated, Henry did not fit the stereotype of a wealthy traveler at all. Dressed in ordinary casual clothes, with slightly long hair and wearing a Sony Walkman, he resembled a carefree hippie. Ignoring the peculiar stares from those around him, he listened to music while reading a newspaper.
Not long after, a voice broke through his bubble.
"Sir, please let me through; my seat is inside!"
Henry pulled off his earplugs and glanced up at the speaker. Huh, a Chinese?
He stood to let her pass. The beauty wore sunglasses, revealing that she was indeed a stunning Chinese woman!
"Miss, are you Chinese?" Henry asked.
"That's right," she replied with a charming smile. "My parents are both Chinese and later immigrated to the United States, but I was born and raised here!"
Henry smiled slightly. "Oh, that's wonderful! I have a quarter Chinese ancestry myself!"
"Really? That explains why you have a touch of that look!" The woman grinned and began organizing her luggage. She then pulled out a Walkman, closed her eyes, and listened to the music.
Henry had intended to engage her in conversation, but everyone seemed immersed in their own worlds—he felt awkward interrupting. As he watched, however, he noticed her slender legs crossing in a way that brought a strange sensation to his heart!
This woman was not your average beauty! From Henry's perspective, she resembled a stunning goddess, with an exquisite figure and appearance that were simply immaculate!
"Is she trying to seduce me?" Henry thought narcissistically.
Just then, a middle-aged man suddenly tapped on his shoulder.
"Excuse me, would you mind swapping seats with me? My seat is in there," he whispered, eyeing Henry with a jovial disposition. "If you come with me, I'll give you $100!"
Henry glanced at him with disdain and replied flatly, "I'm not interested in changing."
"You don't want to make $100? Or do you want more? How about $150?" The middle-aged man stared greedily at the beautiful woman next to Henry.
Henry shrugged. "$150 isn't enough; it needs to be at least $10,000."
"The insanity of this kid has reached a new level!" the man retorted angrily.
Henry's expression darkened. "Take him to the restroom to eat shit!!!"
At that moment, a burly bodyguard leapt from his seat, grasped the middle-aged man by the neck, and dragged him off toward the airplane's restroom!
A tense silence settled over the first-class cabin!
Unfazed, Henry remained composed, sinking back into his music. The beautiful woman beside him cast an astonished glance in his direction.
By noon, the plane landed at New York Airport.
"Little handsome guy, I'm leaving now!"
As the beauty passed by Henry, she leaned in close, whispering into his ear, "Do my thighs look good?"
Henry turned beet red, speechlessly watching as she swiftly passed him by!
"Hank, can you find out about this woman?" he instructed a bodyguard trailing behind him as he watched the captivating woman exit the plane.
"Understood, boss!"
After a half-hour's wait, Henry arrived at the hotel he had booked to rest. His meeting with Kailena was scheduled for that night!