Chapter 45: Initial Research Results
Chapter 45: Initial Research Results
In the spacious drug laboratory, the printer kept on squeaking.
Chen Chen tore his gaze away from the electron microscope on the experiment desk and stood up with a heavy exhalation.
As his plans gradually moved onto the right track, he finally had the capital to perform research on NZT-48.
With this in mind, Chen Chen picked up the printed experiment report and quickly scanned the research results of the past few days.
Drug name: Unnamed.
Ingredients: C15H15NO2S, C9H13N, C23H21N6O3Cl.CH4O3S, C18H14Cl4N2O.
. Molar refractive index: 44.09
. Molar volume (cm3/mol): 161.5
...
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Polarizability (10-24cm3): 17.47
‘Erm...’
Chen Chen wore a complicated expression.
This drug, NZT-48, was created by combining multiple synthetic drugs.
In addition to some common compounds, it also involved multifunctional targeting molecules.
In the composition of NZT-48, Chen Chen discovered 2-[(R)- (diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide, α-methylphenethylamine, benzodiazepine-type loprazolam, miconazole, and other ingredients.
Holy-f*cking-miconazole...
Chen Chen had discovered many chemical formulas of drugs that were common in modern times such as modafinil and amphetamines, and he even came across the ingredients of miconazole nitrate cream???
Chen Chen searched online and ultimately found an article about how miconazole was effective as a new remyelination agent.
In the study, the team had proven that miconazole could enhance myelination by inhibiting the expression of cholesterol-producing enzymes in stem cells. The title of the research was: Accumulation of 8, 9-unsaturated sterols drives oligodendrocyte formation and remyelination.
Of course, these research results were confined to the laboratory for now. There was no concrete direction in terms of application as of yet.
Besides that, Chen Chen also found traces of N-pyridine-4-yl-piperazine-1-carboxamide, which could treat neurodegenerative diseases, in the drug.
Based on the effects of these latter drugs, Chen Chen could ascertain that part of NZT-48’s pharmacology affected the nerves’ myelin sheath.
The myelin sheath was a type of oligodendrocyte. They were produced by winding along the axons of neurons to form a composite cell membrane.
The main component of the myelin sheath was fat. A lipid sheath was formed by ganglion cells, which had an insulating effect. This increased the transmission speed of nerve impulses and protected the nerve axons.
In other words, besides one’s training, one’s reaction speed was determined by the nerves’ myelin sheath. The thicker and more developed the myelin sheath was, the faster one’s reaction speed would be.
The same was true the other way around.
Furthermore, Chen Chen had also discovered various essential amino acids such as phenylalanine and isoleucine, in NZT-48.
This meant that the NZT drug contained some of the nutrients needed for the brain to function at high speed. This was not surprising to Chen Chen. Conversely, it felt like an inevitable discovery.
After all, it would be impossible for a brain to maintain 12 hours of continuous, high-intensity operation without sufficient nutrients.
However, for the time being, NZT-48 appeared to be a standard neuro-synthetic drug. It was also a booster of brain metabolism and circulation, an alertness improver, and a cognitive enhancer.
During this period, Chen Chen had slowly made some discoveries by testing his bodily fluids.
NZT-48 had a certain neuroprotective effect. Its central excitatory effect was mostly through increasing glutamine synthetase, thereby reducing the production of γ-aminobutyric acid and promoting the detoxification function of nerve cells and energy metabolism activities... Right?
In terms of efficacy, the effects kicked in after 3 minutes if one took the pill orally, lasting for 11-13 hours. The drug concentration in the bloodstream reached its peak about 1 hour after oral consumption.
The bioavailability of oral tablets was 90% and the total protein binding rate was 90% too. The drug and its metabolites were excreted in urine and feces, and the apparent plasma clearance rate was 110-180ml per minute.
These were the full results of Chen Chen’s research.
As he stared at this report, Chen Chen was still unsatisfied.
This was because, according to the experiment process, he had only uncovered thirty percent of the drug’s composition. Seventy percent of NZT-48’s ingredients were still unknown.
To find out what all those ingredients were would take more than a day’s work.
If he wanted to study the drug, Chen Chen needed at least a fully functional experimental center, a large team of more than a hundred people, and an astronomical sum to fund the experiment.
It appeared that, apart from a power plant, there was another thing to add to Chen Chen’s future goals.
When he thought of this, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Chen Chen did not become dejected or discouraged by the towering obstacles that lay ahead. Instead, his ambition grew like wildfire.
Perhaps Chen Chen, who had taken NZT-48, would never suffer from negative emotions like dejection or discouragement.
After destroying all traces of his research in the laboratory, Chen Chen climbed onto the laboratory table and reconnected the surveillance cameras with cut wires that were installed in various corners. Following that, he went to the ceiling at the center of the lab.
Standing on the table, Chen Chen looked around before fishing out a lighter and aiming it at the sprinkler.
“Click!”
There was a crisp sound as a thin blue flame rose from the lighter.
“Beep beep beep!”
The smart chip in the sprinkler detected the abnormal temperature and instantly issued an alarm. In no time, the four or five sprinklers around the laboratory started spraying water like angels scattering flowers.
Soon, the entire laboratory was in ruins. Various experimental apparatuses cut off their power before being doused in the persistent rain.
Chen Chen wiped his face and turned to leave the laboratory.
The moment he came out, he saw a large group of people hurrying over from the office area.
“What’s going on? What happened?”
A Mediterranean man asked in a panic as he came rushing over with a group of security guards holding fire extinguishers.
“It’s fine. I just accidentally triggered the fire alarm during an experiment,” Chen Chen replied calmly.
One of the security guards raced into the laboratory, only coming out after he made sure there was no fire. He said in a shocked, uncertain voice, “Manager, there’s no fire but the experiment apparatuses...”
The group led by the Mediterranean man looked at Chen Chen blankly once more.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pay for it.”
...
After all, renting the laboratories of other companies was not a long-term solution. It looked like it was time for Chen Chen to open an experiment center himself.
On his way home, Chen Chen planned silently.
After that, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.
“Manager Xia, have you prepared the things I need along with the passport and visa?” Chen Chen asked.
“Chairman Chen, of the stuff you need, the small things have been prepared. They’re in your home.” On the other end of the phone, Xia Yin spoke in a mystifying manner.
“Alright, I’ll head back to have a look.”
Without waiting for a reply, Chen Chen hung up, then drove his electric car back to the industrial park.
Back in Blacklight Biotechnology Data Center, Chen Chen spotted a pile of goods on the floor the moment he entered the gate. Placed on top were a passport and a Swiss business visa.
Chen Chen took out a pair of scissors and opened the boxes. Following that, he moved them to the door of the power distribution room.
“X, it’s me,” Chen Chen said to the door.
“Creak.”
The heavy door of the power distribution room opened in response...