From a tortured father in Tehran to a brain-cancer cure in Israel: Heshmatpour's two-front fight

Amir Heshmatpour, the Iranian-born CEO of NeOnc Technologies, a Nasdaq-listed biotech firm, described his dual battle during a recent visit to Israel. The conversation took place in the offices of the Jerusalem Post, where Heshmatpour discussed his personal struggle with grief over his late father’s imprisonment and death under the Iranian regime, alongside his professional mission to develop groundbreaking treatments for brain cancer. Heshmatpour was born in Tabriz, Iran, and moved to the United States as a child before the Islamic Revolution. His father, who had previously lived abroad, returned to Iran shortly after the revolution began. He was arrested and subjected to torture by the new regime, ultimately dying at the age of 46. At just 19, Heshmatpour found himself responsible for caring for his family, a loss that deeply shaped his worldview and fueled his determination to bring about change in Iran. The emotional weight of his past has driven Heshmatpour to focus on developing innovative therapies for brain cancer. His company, NeOnc Technologies, is currently conducting clinical trials for its drug, NEO100, which is designed as an intranasal treatment. This approach allows the medication to bypass the blood-brain barrier, targeting recurrent high-grade gliomas more effectively. According to reports, the therapy has shown promising results, with some patients experiencing progression-free survival measured in years rather than months. In one phase of testing, approximately a quarter of participants achieved complete tumor remission. Heshmatpour explained that he made the decision to leave a family office and take the helm of NeOnc Technologies after his wife’s brother died of brain cancer at the age of six. This personal tragedy reinforced his commitment to finding life-saving solutions. Trials for NEO100 are now being conducted in multiple locations, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and major medical centers in Israel such as Sheba Medical Center and Tel Aviv University’s medical facility. Beyond his scientific work, Heshmatpour has cultivated relationships that reflect his broader vision for the region. He maintains a close friendship with Rabbi Shmuel Pinto and has participated in religious rituals at the Western Wall, dedicating a Torah scroll to the memory of his late father. These connections have helped him envision a future where the Middle East experiences greater normalization, a concept he humorously refers to as the “Cyrus Accords,” drawing inspiration from the ancient Persian king known for his policies of tolerance and integration. His efforts have drawn attention beyond the scientific community. Heshmatpour’s journey from a persecuted father’s son to a leading figure in oncology research highlights both the personal and political dimensions of his work. As trials expand and public interest grows, the potential impact of his research could extend far beyond the laboratory, offering hope to thousands while challenging the status quo in the Middle East.