Hidden Patents: Universities Repurposing Anti-Parasitic Drugs for Cancer Treatment (2025)

In a revealing post on X (formerly Twitter), whistleblower account @Jikkyleaks has shed light on four prominent universities that have quietly pursued patents and research on anti-parasitic medications—such as ivermectin, mebendazole, and fenbendazole—for treating various cancers. These drugs, long used to combat parasites in humans and animals, are now being explored for their potential anticancer properties. 

The post, which credits AI assistant Grok for verifying the details, questions why this potentially game-changing information hasn't been more publicly disseminated. Drawing from the post and its sources, this article explores the universities involved, the science behind the drugs, and the broader implications.

The Universities and Their Patent Pursuits

According to the information compiled in the post, these institutions have been actively involved in patenting or researching these repurposed drugs. Here's a breakdown:

University of British Columbia (UBC)

The University of British Columbia has been involved in patenting efforts related to antiparasitic drugs for cancer treatment. Specifically, a patent application (62/756,707) has been submitted for ivermectin analogs for cancer treatment, with MG (likely a researcher or inventor affiliated with UBC) listed as an inventor. Additionally, UBC holds a patent on HSP27 antisense OGX-427 (PCT/CA03/01588), which, while not directly an antiparasitic, indicates their activity in related anticancer research. Sources point to preclinical studies showing ivermectin's promise against various tumors, though human trials remain limited. Grok's verification specifically confirms this patent application for ivermectin analogs.
Source: (PDF) Ivermectin for Cancer - A Detailed Research Paper, published on 2025-12-10, available on http://academia.edu.

University of Southern California (USC)

Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at USC, specifically from the Nimni-Cordoba Tissue Engineering and Drug Discovery Lab, have explored fenbendazole for cancer therapy. While the web result does not explicitly mention a patent, it highlights their work on benzimidazole anthelmintics (a class including fenbendazole) for cancer, suggesting potential patent activity in this area. 
The University of Southern California (USC), specifically at the Keck School of Medicine, has ongoing research on fenbendazole for cancer treatment. This is led by Dr. Ba Xuan Hoang, an assistant professor whose work focuses on repurposed drugs like fenbendazole for anti-cancer applications, including its synergistic effects with other compounds in lung cancer models (usc.edu). His recent publications include a 2025 in vivo study on fenbendazole's anti-tumor effects in mice with A549 lung cancer cells, a 2024 in vitro study on apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in lung cancer cells, and a 2024 review on oral fenbendazole for human and animal cancer therapy. Given the recency of these works (up to mid-2025) and his active research profile in this area, it indicates ongoing efforts.

Florida Atlantic University (FAU)

FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine has innovated by combining benzimidazoles (including mebendazole and fenbendazole) with chitin microparticles to target cancers like triple-negative breast cancer. Researchers Vijaya Iragavarapu-Charyulu, Ph.D., and Ceylan Isgor, Ph.D., have filed a patent for this multi-pronged approach. As noted on FAU's website, this method aims to enhance drug delivery and efficacy, potentially revolutionizing treatment for aggressive cancers that lack standard therapies.
Source: Treating Cancer | Florida Atlantic University web page.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins has been involved in research repurposing mebendazole for cancer, notably for pancreatic tumors and glioblastoma therapy. While the web result (US11110079B2 patent) does not explicitly state that Johns Hopkins filed the patent, their research on mebendazole polymorphs for anticancer effects, supported by clinical trials (e.g., NCT01729260), suggests they may have contributed to or are associated with patent filings in this domain.
Source: US11110079B2 - Mebendazole polymorph for treatment and prevention of tumors, Google Patents: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11110

Johns Hopkins University secured a 2021 patent for a form of the anti-parasitic drug mebendazole to treat aggressive brain cancers like glioblastoma, leveraging its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and disrupt tumor cells. (William Makis 2025)

A 2021 study from Johns Hopkins University, concluded that mebendazole should be investigated further as a component of adjuvant therapy to slow progression and prevent metastasis, and well as for primary prevention in the highest risk patients. (Oncotarget 2021)

According to, Gregory Riggins, M.D., Ph.D., professor of neurosurgery and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (hopkinsmedicine.org):

“We are advocating for use of mebendazole as a therapy for those diagnosed before metastasis to see if we can slow or prevent pancreatic cancer,” Riggins says. “For those with more advanced cancers, it could be an alternative to certain surgeries. Mebendazole may have utility as a therapy after initial treatment to prevent tumor recurrence in the 15% to 20% of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients who undergo surgery. It may also increase the durability of response to standard chemotherapy in the remaining 80% to 85% of patients with advanced disease.”

Additional Context

• Ivermectin: Primarily linked to UBC for patent applications on analogs, with broader preclinical research noted in Patel Y. (PubMed, 2025) and Juarez M. et al. (2018) reviews, though specific university patents beyond UBC are not detailed. 
• Mebendazole: Associated with Johns Hopkins for glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer research, with patent implications from the US11110079B2 filing. 
• Fenbendazole: Linked to USC and FAU, with USC focusing on its anticancer mechanisms and FAU filing a patent for its use with chitin microparticles.

The Science Behind Anti-Parasitic Drugs in CancerThese drugs aren't new inventions—they've been staples in veterinary and human medicine for decades. Ivermectin, famously used against river blindness and other parasitic infections, works by paralyzing parasites. In cancer research, it appears to inhibit tumor growth by targeting cellular pathways like Wnt signaling and inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death). Mebendazole and fenbendazole, from the benzimidazole family, disrupt microtubule formation, which cancers rely on for rapid division. Studies cited in the post, including reviews from PubMed and patent filings, suggest these mechanisms could make them effective against hard-to-treat cancers.

What's striking is their affordability and off-patent status in many cases, which could democratize cancer treatment. However, the post implies a lack of transparency: Why patent new analogs or combinations without broader public trials? Additional context from the sources notes ivermectin's links to UBC, mebendazole to Johns Hopkins, and fenbendazole to USC and FAU, with ongoing preclinical work supporting their efficacy.Controversies and Broader ImplicationsThe X post has sparked discussions in its replies, linking these developments to COVID-19 controversies. During the pandemic, drugs like ivermectin were heavily restricted or "outlawed as dangerous" in some contexts, despite advocacy from figures like Dr. Pierre Kory and others for their off-label use. Now, as replies point out, these same drugs are being patented for cancer—a disease some claim is spiking due to vaccine-related issues, such as alleged SV-40 contamination in mRNA shots, which has historical ties to cancer in polio vaccines.
One reply accuses the system of "releasing a weapon, jabbing everyone, and now selling the cure to the cancer they gave them," while noting doctors who prescribed these drugs remain deregistered. Another highlights UBC's role in developing lipid nanoparticles used in COVID vaccines, suggesting conflicts of interest. 

Grok's reply in the thread—"Glad the info was useful. Verified: UBC's patent app 62/756,707 on ivermectin analogs; FAU's patent on benzimidazoles + chitin; Johns Hopkins' US11110079B2 on mebendazole polymorph C. USC has ongoing fenbendazole research. Always consult professionals for medical advice."—adds a layer of credibility while emphasizing caution.
These claims, while unsubstantiated in mainstream narratives, align with growing skepticism about pharmaceutical priorities. If these universities are sitting on potential cures, why the secrecy? Could it be to protect lucrative new patents over cheap generics? The post tags experts like @MakisMedicine, @P_McCulloughMD, and @RWMaloneMD.Looking Ahead: A Call for AwarenessThis revelation underscores the potential of drug repurposing in oncology, where affordable options could save lives amid rising cancer rates. Yet, it also highlights systemic issues: patents that prioritize profit over public health, and suppressed discussions around versatile treatments. As research progresses—backed by patents like those from UBC, FAU, and Johns Hopkins—patients and advocates are demanding more openness.

For now, consult healthcare professionals before exploring these options, as most remain experimental. The full sources, including patent documents and research papers, provide a starting point for deeper investigation. In an era of rapid scientific advancement, staying informed could be the key to unlocking hidden breakthroughs.