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HIV is widely believed to have originated in chimpanzees.
While the sales department cleared the old inventory, it had also acquired twenty chimpanzees for testing.
Chimpanzees were listed as endangered, but with the proper permits, pharmaceutical companies could still obtain them for special research use.
With all twenty moved in, the second floor of the laboratory became far livelier than any sterile facility had a right to be.
They varied in size, age, and sex.
The one thing they had in common was HIV infection.
The live trials had begun.
Adrian had the team divide them into batches, confirm controlled viral-load conditions, and then treat them with the A1 Virus.
The researchers in the laboratory entered another stretch of tense work.
At the same time, the sterile cleanroom production workshop had finished its adjustments.
Everything was ready.
Large amounts of raw materials were being stockpiled.
Every part of Umbrella was moving in sync.
At this point, all that remained was the final push.
Back in his office, he turned directly to Evelyn.
“It’s time. Three days from now, we announce the research results.”
Evelyn smiled lightly.
“Understood. Three days from now is June first.”
A breakthrough did not need much advertising, but he did not have time to wait for word of mouth.
Instead of relying on a long marketing campaign, he would make one announcement loud enough for the world to hear.
That was why he chose to announce the research results publicly.
According to the Red Queen’s calculations after infiltrating and analyzing information across the internet, even if he released the basic principles behind the A-Virus, other organizations would need at least twenty years to reproduce a mutated virus of the same kind. Read the latest chapters at g.com.
As for using his finished product directly, that was even less realistic.
The genetic lock made sure of that.
Without him, even the researchers inside Umbrella’s own laboratory could not manufacture the A-Virus on their own.
While Evelyn began making arrangements, the Red Queen also started moving under his instructions.
Three days passed quickly, and June first arrived.
New Harbor International Convention Center.
Media outlets from across the country and around the world arrived after receiving the news.
The 4,300-square-meter conference hall was packed tight.
Camera flashes popped constantly around the broadcast rigs.
Reporters from around the world waited, trading speculation and skepticism.
If the news was accurate, this research achievement could benefit all humanity.
After the conference was registered with the authorities, the national government took the matter seriously.
Large numbers of police officers patrolled the surrounding area to ensure the event proceeded normally.
Many well-known biologists from around the world also arrived at the venue.
“If this research is real, our biotechnology sector could move straight to the global forefront.”
The remark drew a scoff from a reporter with an American network.
“Labs in the United States have researched this for years without results. I think today’s event is just a circus.”
In truth, many reporters present did not take the announcement seriously.
They treated it as a joke.
Some were preparing to use the event to mock the host country in their coverage back home.
After the host’s opening remarks, Adrian walked onto the stage in a tailored suit.
“Who is that young man? I have never seen him before.”
“Tsk. Someone that young? I’m starting to like this already. It should make a decent joke.”
Whatever the audience murmured below, his expression did not change.
“Time is valuable, so I will get straight to the point.”
“Through targeted mutation of large-bodied Mimivirus, I successfully developed a new virus capable of devouring other viruses. I have named it the A-Virus.”
As he spoke, the enormous screen behind him lit up with footage.
“Then, using the A-Virus as a foundation, we cultivated the A1 Virus, which devours only HIV.”
“It has now entered the final testing stage.”
“One of the world’s most feared diseases, HIV/AIDS, has been successfully conquered.”
Even knowing that no other organization could create anything similar within twenty years, he had no intention of revealing the key technology.
In only a few minutes, he explained the broad situation and the effects of the A-Virus.
The footage on the screen behind him proved that the claim was not empty.
“We will now enter the question period,” Evelyn said after he finished.
“Because Chairman Cross also serves as president of Umbrella Biopharmaceuticals and must oversee the final testing stage, his schedule is limited. We will take only three questions.”
The moment she finished, hands shot up across the hall.
Reporters raised their arms high, each one fighting for the chance to ask a question.
This press conference was far more shocking than they had imagined.
The first question, without surprise, went to a local reporter.
“Mr. Cross, I would like to ask a question. You just said this technology has entered the final testing stage. When do you expect the treatment based on it to officially reach the market? Also, can the A-Virus help treat other diseases caused by viral infections?”
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