P(successfully finding active molecule ) =0.

0001
P(not finding active molecule ) =1- 0.0001 =0.9999

P( at least one active molecule) = 1- P(no active molecule) = 1 (0.9999)n

Where n is the number of samples tested.

P(no active molecule) is calculated using the geometric distribution where

all probability is same. Thus, P(no active molecule) = P(not finding active
molecule )* P(not finding active molecule ).. n times where n is the
sample size

P(at least one molecule) = 0.99 (given)

Thus, 0.99 = 1 (0.9999)n

Solve the equation above and get n.