is racing ahead at breakneck speed. Four years ago it was the genes associated with development that were put into mature cells by viruses, and some of these genes were oncogenes, closely associated with cancer-causing capabilities. Even the virus vectors were known to be occasionally carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, so the resulting induced pluripotent stem cells could never be used in patients, as they would be far too dangerous. But since that early beginning just four years ago, genes have been placed as the agents to reprogram the cells to a more primitive state with the protein products of the genes, and the insertion by potentially dangerous viruses has been changed to using electric current called electroporation, or even more recently by certain chemicals that pull the development proteins in through the cell membranes without damaging them.”
54
“Okay,” Carl said. “Astounding is a better word than surprising.”
“More important, does this give you a better understanding of the field?”
“Much better. I’ve finally got some context.”
“I’m always happy to give you an explanation of the science. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask.”
“I will take you at your word,” Carl said, putting his hand back on the reprint. “So if I understand correctly, this article is concerned with a process that speeds up the production of induced pluripotent stem cells, and it’s another one of those key processes that we need to control?”
“Yes, and I believe, by the way, this iPS RAPID is behaving like it’s for sale, an issue you know more about than I. My sense is that they would be better to control than the company in Massachusetts. It would be a coup to snap them up before they get a chance to test the market. Do we have significant equity on hand?”
“Probably not, but with the signing yesterday, we’re in good shape market valuewise, and it won’t take long to be able to estimate what we could raise in the short run.”
“Do it,” Ben ordered.
“It’ll be done,” Carl said, and got up from his chair. “Thanks again.” A moment later he was gone.
Ben got up and poked his head into Jacqueline’s office. He had to squint into the sun shining through her windows facing east. “Any sign of Satoshi?” he called out to her.
Since she was on the phone, Jacqueline merely waved and shook her head, voicelessly indicating that she’d not seen him.
Returning back to his desk, Ben half joked to himself that in regard to Satoshi he felt somewhat akin to the father of a teenage son, constantly concerned to a degree where the kid was and what he was doing. It was now going on ten, and Satoshi had yet to show up or call. Ben sighed, recognizing that he was always nervous until Satoshi appeared at the office, even though the man had nothing specific to do. Ben had asked him to at least call if he wasn’t planning on coming in, but Satoshi never bothered. One time Satoshi didn’t show up for a week and never bothered to call or even turn his cell phone on, causing Ben significant 55
concern. When Satoshi did show up, he said he had taken his family to Niagara Falls. Although things were obviously better now with the licensing agreement signed and notarized, losing Satoshi would be more than inconvenient.
Thinking about Satoshi reminded Ben that he’d promised to call up to Columbia and check on the status of his request to lease laboratory space. As he put the call through, he mildly chided himself for not following up on it sooner. Knowing Satoshi as he now did, had he been more responsible, he wouldn’t have to worry about Satoshi’s whereabouts, because the man would spend all his time in the lab.
The conversation with the powers-that-be at Columbia was short and sweet, and very positive. The space was definitely available, the price was high but fair, and all Satoshi would have to do was provide a list of equipment and reagents, which the school would be happy to
54
“Okay,” Carl said. “Astounding is a better word than surprising.”
“More important, does this give you a better understanding of the field?”
“Much better. I’ve finally got some context.”
“I’m always happy to give you an explanation of the science. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask.”
“I will take you at your word,” Carl said, putting his hand back on the reprint. “So if I understand correctly, this article is concerned with a process that speeds up the production of induced pluripotent stem cells, and it’s another one of those key processes that we need to control?”
“Yes, and I believe, by the way, this iPS RAPID is behaving like it’s for sale, an issue you know more about than I. My sense is that they would be better to control than the company in Massachusetts. It would be a coup to snap them up before they get a chance to test the market. Do we have significant equity on hand?”
“Probably not, but with the signing yesterday, we’re in good shape market valuewise, and it won’t take long to be able to estimate what we could raise in the short run.”
“Do it,” Ben ordered.
“It’ll be done,” Carl said, and got up from his chair. “Thanks again.” A moment later he was gone.
Ben got up and poked his head into Jacqueline’s office. He had to squint into the sun shining through her windows facing east. “Any sign of Satoshi?” he called out to her.
Since she was on the phone, Jacqueline merely waved and shook her head, voicelessly indicating that she’d not seen him.
Returning back to his desk, Ben half joked to himself that in regard to Satoshi he felt somewhat akin to the father of a teenage son, constantly concerned to a degree where the kid was and what he was doing. It was now going on ten, and Satoshi had yet to show up or call. Ben sighed, recognizing that he was always nervous until Satoshi appeared at the office, even though the man had nothing specific to do. Ben had asked him to at least call if he wasn’t planning on coming in, but Satoshi never bothered. One time Satoshi didn’t show up for a week and never bothered to call or even turn his cell phone on, causing Ben significant 55
concern. When Satoshi did show up, he said he had taken his family to Niagara Falls. Although things were obviously better now with the licensing agreement signed and notarized, losing Satoshi would be more than inconvenient.
Thinking about Satoshi reminded Ben that he’d promised to call up to Columbia and check on the status of his request to lease laboratory space. As he put the call through, he mildly chided himself for not following up on it sooner. Knowing Satoshi as he now did, had he been more responsible, he wouldn’t have to worry about Satoshi’s whereabouts, because the man would spend all his time in the lab.
The conversation with the powers-that-be at Columbia was short and sweet, and very positive. The space was definitely available, the price was high but fair, and all Satoshi would have to do was provide a list of equipment and reagents, which the school would be happy to
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