An affordable Cancer-Fighting soap developed by an American teenager
A 14-year-old American prodigy, Heman Bekele, has clinched the top prize at the Young Scientist’s Challenge, a competition by 3M, for his ground-breaking invention. He has developed a soap that could help the body’s immune system ‘wash away’ skin cancer particularly melanomas.
Having spent four years in Ethiopia before relocating to the United States, Heman Bekele credits his invention’s inspiration to vivid memories of people toiling under the scorching sun all day.
He aspires for his creation to be both cost-effective and efficient in the quest for an innovative solution
His soap incorporates imidazoquinoline, a medication utilized in treating certain skin cancers, forming a medicated layer on the skin.
The soap’s key innovation lies in lipid nanoparticles, facilitating enhanced drug penetration.
Awarded $250,000, Bekele plans to further his research, aiming for clinical trials and eventual widespread distribution through a non-profit organization, envisioning an affordable and effective solution for skin cancer treatment.
