Surgery Godfather-Chapter 1849 - 1293: The Special Patient’s Speech

Li Gaoyang has already completed three courses of K Therapy and is now preparing for discharge.

Compared to before the treatment, the tumor has already reduced by 30%, all symptoms have disappeared, and the treatment effect is very promising. Furthermore, after the end of K Therapy, the tumor will continue to shrink for a long time thereafter, as seen in Sisi’s case where it eventually cured her. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

It has been twenty-four days since he arrived. Twenty-four days ago, he was almost carried in on a stretcher, nearly reliant on a ventilator to sustain life; now, he leans on a custom cane, his steps slow but steady. The tumor has not completely disappeared but has been controlled into a dormant state, like a sleeping volcano. Moreover, this small volcano will continue to shrink in the future, and may even disappear.

The Meeting Room is crowded with journalists from around the world, cameras aimed at this special patient, waiting for his statement. He is the first American to receive K Therapy, a complex late-stage case, the CEO of a multinational pharmaceutical giant.

Rolf wanted to prepare a statement for him, but Li Gaoyang refused.

He stood in front of the temporary podium, his figure thin but eyes clear, exuding a special calmness that comes from someone who has been to the brink of life and death.

"Twenty-four days ago, when I came here, I was ready to die," his voice came through the microphone, somewhat hoarse but clear, "Today I can stand here, first and foremost, I must thank Professor Yang Ping and his team. They not only gave me a second life, but more importantly, they showed me what medicine should embody — to not give up on any life, even if there’s only a one percent chance."

Flashbulbs went off in rapid succession.

"But today, I don’t just want to talk about myself." Li Gaoyang shifted the focus, "During my treatment, several patients in the same hospital received the same treatment. Among them were entrepreneurs, teachers, farmers, and children. They paid for their treatments in different ways, some self-funded like me, some through insurance, and some through assistance from an equitable framework, but the treatment plan they received was no different."

He paused to let the translator keep up with the pace.

"For the past twenty years, the BG Group I’ve led, like other pharmaceutical companies, has believed in market-based pricing and value medicine. We believed that a drug’s price should reflect its research costs and clinical value. This isn’t wrong, but we overlooked one thing: when the price becomes a barrier, no drug, no matter how good, can save those who are kept out by the barrier."

The room quieted down, only the sound of shutters clicking.

"On the hospital bed, I read all of Professor Yang Ping’s papers, and studied Ruixing’s equitable framework. I realized this isn’t charity; it’s a more sustainable business logic, expanding market reach through accessibility and creating value by reducing costs. While more patients receive treatment, it also allows the recovery of R&D costs and the earning of reasonable profits." Li Gaoyang raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the international media present, "So today, I announce three things."

Journalists raised their recording devices one after another.

"First, BG Group will fully adopt and support the equitable framework. We will not only promote K Therapy in North America but also push for this framework to become the industry standard."

"Second, I will personally donate five hundred million dollars to establish a Global Equitable Medical Foundation, specifically to support patients unable to afford treatment costs. Additionally, BG Group will allocate 10% of its profits in the oncology drug field over the next three years into this foundation."

"Third—" he took a deep breath, "I call on all pharmaceutical companies to reconsider their pricing models. The ultimate goal of medical progress is not to maximize profits, but to maximize life. If our technology cannot benefit those who need it the most, then what’s the point of progress?"

"Lastly, I want to tell everyone here, my speech today is not an individual’s impromptu statement, but one that has been reviewed and approved by the board."

The scene erupted into an uproar; this was no longer a patient’s testimonial, but a declaration of war against the entire industry.

Dr. John Ansen listened in the crowd, his expression complex. As one of the top medical experts in the United States, he was well aware of the weight of these words; Li Gaoyang was not only thanking his life-saving benefactors but also publicly endorsing a model that challenges the fundamental logic of the global pharmaceutical industry.

After the press conference concluded, Li Gaoyang did not leave immediately. He returned to the Institute and visited Li Xiaoyun, who was about to be discharged, in the general Ward.

"Teacher Li, congratulations." Li Gaoyang said in newly learned Chinese, his pronunciation clumsy but sincere.

Li Xiaoyun was a bit flustered; she knew from the news who this foreigner before her was — the former CEO of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

"And congratulations to you too..." she said softly.

Wang Jianjun, standing beside his wife, hesitated for a moment but then extended his hand, "Thank you for what you said just now. For ordinary families like ours, the equitable framework is our only hope."

Li Gaoyang clasped his hand, "No, I should be the one thanking you. Your successful treatment proves that the equitable framework is not just an ideal but a feasible reality."

The two men, one who used to be the price controller in the pharmaceutical industry, and the other an engineer who nearly forewent treatment due to cost, tightly gripped each other’s hands at this moment.

Yang Ping stood at the end of the corridor watching the scene, remaining silent. Song Zimo softly said, "Professor, it seems like we’ve really changed something."

"It’s not that we’ve changed something," Yang Ping said, "but that what medicine should inherently be, is being seen once again."

Forty-eight hours after Li Gaoyang’s discharge, news came from Brussels.