A drug derived from a Himalayan fungus shows 40x more cancer-killing power. A promising new chemotherapy drug derived from a Himalayan fungus is showing powerful anti-cancer effects in early clinical trials. Developed through a collaboration between the University of Oxford and biopharmaceutical company NuCana, the drug—called NUC-7738—has demonstrated up to 40 times greater potency than its natural precursor, Cordycepin, in killing cancer cells. Unlike the original compound, which breaks down quickly in the bloodstream, NUC-7738 uses innovative ProTide technology to overcome resistance mechanisms and deliver high concentrations of active drug directly into tumor cells. Cordycepin, found in the fungus Cordyceps sinensis, has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, but its clinical application was limited due to rapid degradation in the body.