From Imhotep to TuHura Biosciences

In the 1990s Dr. Mike Lawman, a scientist from Rhodesia, who at the time was working at the University of Florida was fascinated by Coley’s neglected work. Lawman was not interested in reintroducing crude bacterial toxins, he searched for a molecular key that would specifically wake up the immune system against cancer.

When he discovered Emm55, a protein from a rare strain of streptococcus pyogenes, he began to learn. Emm55 has a transmembrane sequence unlike most bacterial proteins, and allows it to attach to the surfaces of human cells.

Lawman had a brilliant notion:

1. To deliver the Emm55 gene in tumor cells.

2. To induce tumor cells to express Emm55 on their surfaces.

3. To underhandedly alert the immune system that it should act on the infected tumor. 

The outcomes:

– In animal models the tumors began to regress in size within days.

– Distant tumors also disappeared due via the abscopal effect because the immune attack was evolving systemically.

– Animals developed long-term immunity and rejected new tumor growth.

This was far more than Coley had achieved in prior years. Lawman had taken historical insight and turned it into an exact, genetic, and reproducible therapy.

TuHura Biosciences and the Birth of IFx

Creating a therapy of this nature would require unbelievable resources. Luckily for Emm55, Lawman’s research caught the attention of a billionaire physician investor, and later Dr. James Bianco, a highly respected oncologist and CEO of biotechs. They created what is now TuHura Biosciences. 

Their first therapy, based on Emm55, became IFx, a genetic immunotherapy that was designed to permanently mark tumors for attack by the immune system. 

TuHura is now conducting one of the largest basket trials approved by the FDA, repeatedly testing IFx, in multiple cancers, at the same time. More importantly, hovering over Menlo Park’s tunnel network, they were now in partnership with Merck to combine IFx with Keytruda, one of the top selling immunotherapies on the market. 

Why IFx may be successful where others have not

The cancer field is awash with a variety of overhyped “cures.” What sets IFx apart?

Precision over chance – While Imhotep or Coley, relied on uncontrolled infective agents, IFx delivered a specific immune signal, directly into tumors.

Proven platform – Gene therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors including Keytruda have added greatly to the advancement of medicine. IFx builds on this already proven science.

The abscopal effect – IFx has the ability to trigger systemic immune responses which could be capable of treating both primary and metastatic cancers. 

Long-lasting immunity – Similar to vaccines, IFx may also protect patients against recurrence, which remains one of the hardest issues of cancer. 

Global partnerships – Supported by Karolinska Institute (the Nobel Prize body) and Merck, TuHura had many more resources than those tier three fringe groups in the oncology space. 

Economic, Ethical and Global Implications

If IFx works, the consequences are staggering.

Medical – Cancer could change from a terminal illness to a disease that is both preventable and curable. 

Economic – Current treatments for cancer reach into the billions of dollars every year. A real cure is likely to cause seismic changes to the whole pharmaceutical industry and economy. 

Ethical – Equitable access will be an important question. If IFx is proven to be a universal therapy, equitable access will be a necessary goal for all nations, or are we setting up a model that is again biased toward wealthy nations? 

Psychological – The fear, anxiety and concern that cancer is one of the most dreaded of all human diseases is likely to decrease rapidly, like life expectancy, in just one generation.

Conclusion: Thinking Into a New Age

From Imhotep’s ancient papyrus to Saint Peregrine’s healing miracle, from Coley’s bacterial toxins to Lawman’s Emm55 gene therapy, history has always said: The secret of curing cancer is the immune system.

TuHura Biosciences is now closer than it has ever been to that secret. Their IFx therapy is the product of 5,000 years of evolution, now armed with today’s modern science and by leading global institutions.

For the first time in history, it is becoming real to imagine a world where cancer isn’t merely treated, but rather cured, prevented, and wiped out through the body’s own immune defenses.

After thousands of years of searching, humanity might finally be in a place to proclaim: 

“Yes, we just cured cancer.”