“This is not a vaccine, this is a universal remedy for all types of flu virus of group A nanoparticles which would target the virus safely. The sooner we get to work, the more lives we can save,” Rasnetsov claims.

He plans to make HIV medication affordable. For around $1,000 a year for life, Leo promises to bring HIV patients back to normality. But he can’t explain how it works because he hasn’t even got a degree in science.

This magic know-how isn’t without its drawbacks. Aside from getting government approval, the drug also requires a massive amount of fullerenes – cheap nanotechnology materials – so Rasnetsov and his company are making some of their own in their homemade laboratory.

Rasnetsov claims to be the only one in the world able to make fullerene, also known as C-60, digestible. That, theoretically, could indeed help millions live with the virus.

In Russia’s scientific community, Rasnetsov’s drug is raising eyebrows

“This is not a cure, it’s just another medication that looks bogus to me. You can’t find a cure single-handedly, you need a big scientific apparatus like this institute. Here we have strict rules and safety regulations,” said Institute of Immunology professor Igor Sidorovich.

Vladimir Mayanovskiy was diagnosed with HIV since years ago. Since then he says he’s seen too many charlatans to trust any innovation.

“Of course some babushka can come up with an HIV cure. It can happen and maybe she will help somebody, but it can actually hurt people, and give them false hopes. Unfortunately too many people are trying to earn money though others’ pain,” Mayanovskiy says.

Lev is trying to get on the wave of Russia's big-time move into nanoscience. Government agency RosNano wants to provide support to researchers and businesses who promote nanoeverything: from socks and underwear to a cancer cure. It’s a serious industry, but is so far ignoring Rasnetsov’s request for help

“We are completely independent and self-sustainable but we have asked RosNano to help us produce more C-60. So far there has been no reply,” he says.

Rasnetsov has secured a copyright in 150 countries and some tests have already been conducted, but on animals only. But Lev says his 30 factory employees, including himself, have already given it a try. If everyone listened to the skeptics, he says, we’d still believe the earth is flat.