Dzenan Kovacic, a scientist and innovator, currently enrolled in the International Burch University in Sarajevo, could be a step away from a breakthrough in science, the discovery of a new cure to treat tuberculosis, a disease that kills around 1.5 million lives every year.

“I had an idea while I was in medical school. But nothing had happened because it was too complicated. When I started studying at the Burch (University), the idea was reviewed by professors and they had an incredibly positive opinion. About six to seven months ago, a professor teaching microbiology told me that this idea might work. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina has no lab to research infectious diseases I had to turn to software solutions. The results I got were very promising,” Kovacic said in N1's Novi dan programme.

Asked if he was aware of what kind of discovery he might be close to, Kovacic replied that he rather focuses on the search for the cure.

“That sounds absolutely unbelievable and that's why I feel kind of pressure to complete this in a fruitful way. This is unthinkable and I hope it will come true. I'm on a good path and millions of people will benefit from that and will solve one of the crucial civilisational problems. The feeling is quite good,” he said.

Kovacic is preparing to attend an international scientific conference along with hundreds of academicians and representatives of various industries, who will present their ideas to the Nobel Prize winners.

The Bosnian scientist will be one of them.

“Competition part lasts up to eight hours and three best ideas will be selected. The first prize winner will then have a chance to present his idea to the crème de la crème of the academy and industries,” he added.