Taeho introduced Gihwan to the royal medical team.
“Everyone, this is Dr. Seong Gihwan of Korea’s Geumsan Research Institute. He is an expert in the field of immunology. As I mentioned last time, Dr. Seong has developed and brought a new immunotherapy agent.”
The reaction was as skeptical as expected. Some doctors shook their heads and covered their faces, while others crossed their arms and sighed.
It was only natural. The drug Gihwan had brought was meant to prepare against a viral attack on the entire Nahayan royal family. In other words, if the drug went wrong, the Nahayan royal family could be wiped out.
From the perspective of the royal medical team, it was bound to be an enormous burden.
In particular, Dr. Abdullah, the royal chief physician, was glaring at Gihwan with a very displeased expression.
Dr. Fatima, who was on the younger side, asked first.
“Dr. Seong, could you explain what sort of therapeutic agent you have brought?”
“Yes. This agent is—no, to be precise, rather than calling it a therapeutic agent, it should be called a targeted preventive vaccine.”
As if he had been waiting for this, Gihwan began to explain. Though he was the type to be extremely shy around people, the moment his area of expertise came up, he became more proactive than anyone, almost like a different person.
“Virus-specific monoclonal antibodies accurately identify infected cells. In addition, an NK cell enhancer increases the activity of natural killer cells by 300%, eliminating infected cells. Of course, an siRNA complex blocks viral replication at the source.”
Dr. Fatima was astonished.
“Is it possible to make such a complex therapeutic agent in just a few days?”
“Under normal circumstances, of course it would be impossible. But the viral analysis data Dr. Kang Taeho sent was so precise that we were able to apply our existing platform immediately. Our Geumsan Research Institute has accumulated know-how in the field of customized immunotherapy.”
Gihwan spoke with pride.
“In particular, our database on Asian HLA patterns is among the best in the world. Fortunately, the genetic patterns of the Nahayan royal family were also included in our data.”
The royal medical team stirred.
“How is it that the genetic information of the Nahayan royal family is in Korea’s Geumsan Research Institute?”
It was a rather aggressive question.
As if he had expected it, Gihwan answered calmly.
“As you all know, Prince Faisal and Princess Amira had just finished treatment at Korea’s Geumsan Samcheok Hospital. The place that developed the treatment at that time was Geumsan Research Institute.”
“You mean you did not delete the Nahayan royal family’s genetic information even after treatment? Was there not a contract signed before treatment?”
This time, the commotion grew even louder.
The royal medical team glared at Gihwan as if looking at a thief.
Taeho, who had been listening from the side, stepped in.
“Of course there was a contract. We were required to delete all genetic information of the Nahayan royal family after treatment. However, because Prince Faisal and Princess Amira left suddenly, the deadline has not yet passed. If you wish, I can show you a copy of the contract. Naturally, we intend to delete all genetic information remaining at the research institute within the contract period.”
It was an answer that left no room for further objection.
Some members of the royal medical team nodded as if they accepted it.
Dr. Hassan asked with curiosity.
“Then how did you guarantee the safety of the newly developed vaccine?”
“We ran ten thousand simulations using the ‘AI-Based Adverse Effect Prediction System’ developed by Geumsan Research Institute. We confirmed that the probability of side effects was below 0.01%.”
Gihwan displayed the development process in the form of data.
“Dr. Seong, one moment.”
Dr. Abdullah spoke in a calm but sharp voice.
“Looking at that data, you have not even gone through a Phase I clinical trial. Using such a therapeutic agent is completely contrary to FDA guidelines.”
Gihwan answered seriously.
“There is something we must clarify first. This is not treatment. It is prevention. The princes are currently healthy, but a variant of the virus could attack again at any time. This drug is meant to build an immune defense barrier in preparation for the next attack.”
It was a clear answer from Gihwan.
Taeho then continued.
“Dr. Abdullah mentioned FDA guidelines. Do you remember the Emergency Use provision under 21 CFR 312.305?”
“That is…”
Abdullah trailed off.
Taeho replied with a relaxed smile.
“It clearly states that preventive intervention in a life-threatening situation may be used even without an IND.”
“Even so, the safety data is insufficient. In particular, how did you assess the risk of cytokine storm in healthy subjects?”
Abdullah’s voice was cold.
Cytokine storm.
When external pathogens such as viruses or bacteria invade, immune cells secrete immune substances called cytokines. A cytokine storm refers to an excessive immune response in which too many cytokines are secreted, attacking even normal cells.
“An excellent point. Let us begin with the mechanism.”
Showing respect toward Abdullah, Gihwan brought up a paper on the screen.
“If you look at Tanaka’s 2019 study in Nature Medicine, IL-15 superagonists show selective activation, unlike IL-2. They increase CD8+ T cells by 300%, but inflammatory cytokine secretion actually decreases by 40%. In particular, in a healthy immune system, self-regulatory mechanisms function to prevent excessive reactions.”
It was a perfect answer, as if he had anticipated the question.
When Dr. Abdullah found himself at a loss for words, Dr. Fatima gauged the mood and continued with another question.
“Even so, could there not be an error in dosage calculation? Especially in the case of Prince Ali, who is a pediatric patient, it seems even greater caution would be needed for preventive administration.”
“Of course. Because it is preventive administration, we calculated the dose at 30% lower than the therapeutic dose. We also used allometric scaling and additionally applied a safety margin to Mahmoud’s standard formula.”
A perfect answer to every possible doubt.
The royal medical team gradually began to acknowledge that Dr. Kang Taeho and Dr. Seong Gihwan had developed the drug after sufficient deliberation.
Dr. Abdullah pursed his lips in dissatisfaction, then launched one final attack.
“How did you resolve the immunogenicity of the monoclonal antibody? If it is being administered preventively, it will remain in the body for a long period…”
Gihwan nodded and answered.
“When I was in medical school, there was a professor who emphasized, ‘Fully human means truly safe.’”
Professor Flanagan’s immunology class at Harvard Medical School.
Abdullah, a Harvard alumnus, immediately understood what those words meant.
“This is a fully humanized antibody produced using XenoMouse technology. It does not contain even 0.1% mouse sequence.”
“Moreover, the most important thing right now is time.”
Taeho continued with a grave expression.
“We cannot predict when the second or third attack will come. They are probably preparing even now, at this very moment. The princes may be healthy now, but there is no guarantee they will survive the next attack. If we create immune memory with this preventive treatment, antibody production will begin within twenty-four hours no matter what variant comes.”
Abdullah fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
It was a flawless evidence-based analysis.
Even if he tried to find fault, there was nothing to seize on.
On top of that, as Dr. Kang Taeho had said, the Nahayan royal family was currently the target of unknown enemies.
When he thought of the time Prince Mansur’s four sons had been in critical condition, cold sweat still broke out on him.
The fear that if they did not mount a preemptive defense, Nahayan truly could be wiped out.
Dr. Abdullah slowly opened his mouth.
“Very well. Prevention is better than cure. Hippocrates said as much.”
***
“Princess, the preventive vaccine is ready.”
Taeho spoke politely as he prepared the syringe.
Amira glanced around and said,
“Dr. Kang. I heard about Latifa.”
“Ah, you did.”
“…I’m sorry. At that time, for a moment, I doubted you.”
Taeho smiled gently and answered.
“It’s no problem at all, Amira.”
“But…”
Amira’s face flushed slightly, and she opened her mouth with a bright expression.
“Actually, Father has been asking a lot about you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He was very impressed by what happened last time, when my brother Faisal and I were treated in Korea. And with this incident involving Latifa, it seems he has come to see you in a completely new light.”
As it happened, Taeho had been curious about what King Zayed was thinking.
“How does His Majesty view this matter?”
“He naturally takes it very seriously. Father has been in constant discussion with Uncle Mansur.”
Amira spoke meaningfully.
“He will probably call you in person soon to speak with you.”
“In that case, I will be prepared.”
Taeho nodded and placed a bandage over the injection site.
“There. The vaccination is complete. Now you are safe as well, Amira. Even if a similar attack comes, there is no need to worry.”
“Thank you, Dr. Kang.”
Taeho began to clean up.
“Then now…”
Amira rose slowly from her seat and stopped in front of the door.
Should she say it, or not?
The pressure of not knowing when she would be able to speak with Dr. Kang again if she did not say it now gave her courage.
After hesitating for a moment, she turned back.
“Dr. Kang.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Do you perhaps have time? Could we talk for just a little longer?”
Taeho sensed that Amira’s expression was different from usual.
“Of course. What is it?”
Amira sat back down and said,
“It is actually something difficult to say.”
“Please speak freely.”
Amira sighed, paused for a while, and then opened her mouth with difficulty.
“The truth is, marriage talks are underway for me.”
“Marriage talks?”
“Yes. The other party is a prince of the Saudi royal family. They say it is a politically important marriage. Father thinks favorably of it, and I hear the other party is not a bad person either.”
Amira’s voice was mixed with confused emotions.
Taeho nodded.
A royal marriage.
It was not something he had never expected at all.
Only, the timing was a little earlier than he had thought.
“But… my heart is elsewhere.”
Amira looked into Taeho’s eyes as she spoke.
“Princess…”
“I know the duty of a royal as well. I know that decisions must be made for the family and the country rather than personal feelings.”
Amira’s voice trembled.
“But the heart does not move as one wishes.”
“Princess, I…”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
Amira hurriedly stopped Taeho from speaking.
It was the instinctive fear of being hurt.
“I only wanted to tell you how I feel. It was too overwhelming to keep to myself. But I am worried that saying this may have put you in a difficult position.”
Amira stood as she spoke.
“Still, I am glad I was able to say it. At least I was able to convey my feelings.”
“Princess.”
“Yes?”
Taeho hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully.
“There are things I cannot tell you right now.”
Amira’s round eyes grew even wider.
“But as time passes, perhaps the situation may change. Until then, could you wait just a little?”
Amira felt the hidden strength in Taeho’s words. His gaze held both a plan and resolve.
“Really?”
“I cannot make a promise. But…”
Taeho looked straight into Amira’s eyes and said,
“I will not give up.”
A light of hope passed over Amira’s face.
Taeho’s words were not a rejection. Rather, they were the opposite.
“Then, then I will wait too.”
As she stepped out the door, she turned back one last time.
“It doesn’t matter how long it takes. My heart will not change.”
Amira smiled brightly.