Biohacker who injected himself with untested herpes drug found dead in a spa

Executive claimed company could cure HIV, Aids and herpes

A controversial biomedical executive who became famous for injecting himself with an untested herpes drug in front of an audience has been found dead.

Aaron Traywick founded Ascendance Biomedical, a biohacking company that encourages people to conduct medical research outside the pharmaceutical industry.

The 28-year-old’s body was discovered in a spa in Washington DC on Sunday, police said, adding they had not found evidence suggesting foul play.

An autopsy is scheduled to take place on Mr Traywick’s body.

According to Vice news, Mr Traywick had been using a flotation therapy tank when he died.

Mr Traywick claimed his company had developed a compound that could cure HIV, Aids and herpes, but he had no independent proof.

The Food and Drugs Administration described biohacking companies as “dangerous”, but many skirt the law by testing drugs on themselves and encouraging others to do the same.

Business associate Tristan Roberts described Mr Traywick as a “passionate visionary” in a statement sent to Vice.

“While many in the biohacking scene disagreed with his methods, none of them doubted his intentions.

“He sought nothing short of a revolution in biomedicine; the democratization of science and the opening of the flood gates for global healing.”