Tibor Bakacs, M.D., D.Sc., Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer, HepC Inc. | Consultant, Alfréd Rényi Institute of Mathematics

I am a clinician‑scientist with 40+ years of experience in immunology, virology, and translational medicine, author of 99 scientific papers and a monograph addressing unmet medical needs. My work focuses on two programs that appear distinct but are mechanistically unified by the interferon (IFN) axis of host immunity.

At HepC Inc., we are developing a single, broad‑spectrum antiviral based on the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Harmless to humans yet a potent inducer of type I interferons, IBDV has shown activity against hepatitis A/B/C, SARS‑CoV‑2, and varicella‑zoster. This host‑directed, off‑the‑shelf antiviral platform aims to strengthen global pandemic preparedness.

In parallel, we developed an ultra‑low‑dose immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) protocol grounded in my auto‑GVHD theory of immune‑related adverse events (irAEs). This approach safely harnesses ICI‑induced autoimmunity and has demonstrated comparable efficacy with markedly reduced toxicity in 131 advanced cancer patients.

Although antiviral therapy and immuno‑oncology may seem unrelated, both rely on controlled IFN‑driven immune activation. This shared biology opens the door to rational combination strategies that integrate safe autoimmunity with innate antiviral priming.

I previously held research positions at the Karolinska Institute, the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, and the National Cancer Institute (NIH).