Scientists have developed a groundbreaking antivenom that protects against 19 of the world’s deadliest snakes, including the black mamba, king cobra, and tiger snakes.
This new antivenom is unique because it uses antibodies from a human donor who built up a powerful resistance to snake venom over nearly two decades of self-immunization.
The research, published in the journal Cell, shows promising results in mouse trials and could pave the way for a universal antivenom.
The traditional method of creating antivenom has not changed much in over a century. It usually involves injecting horses or sheep with venom from a single snake species.
The animals produce antibodies in response, which are then extracted and processed to make antivenom.
While this method works, it is limited to specific snake species and can sometimes cause allergic reactions in people because the antibodies come from animals.
Researchers wanted to find a better solution. That’s when they discovered Tim Friede, a man who had built up immunity to venom from 16 of the world’s most dangerous snakes. For 18 years, Friede intentionally exposed himself to escalating doses of venom through hundreds of bites.
His unique immune response caught the attention of scientists. They realized that his blood might hold the key to a universal antivenom.
After Friede agreed to participate in the study, researchers tested his blood and found that it contained antibodies effective against multiple types of snake venom.
The team set up a testing panel with venom from 19 of the World Health Organization’s category 1 and 2 deadliest snakes. These included many elapids—a family of venomous snakes that includes cobras, mambas, kraits, and taipans.
The researchers isolated antibodies from Friede’s blood and tested them in mice that had been injected with venom from each snake species. By doing this, they were able to create a mixture with the minimum number of components necessary to neutralize the venom from all 19 snakes.
The final antivenom formula has three main components. The first is an antibody called LNX-D09, which protected mice from venom from six of the tested snake species.
The second component is a small molecule called varespladib, which is known to block certain venom toxins and added protection against three more species. The third component is another antibody from Friede’s blood called SNX-B03, which extended protection to the remaining snake species.
With just these three components, the team achieved full protection for 13 of the 19 species and partial protection for the rest.
Although they are still exploring the idea of adding a fourth agent for even broader protection, the three-part antivenom cocktail already shows remarkable effectiveness. The next step is to test it outside the lab, beginning with treating dogs bitten by snakes in Australia. Scientists also plan to develop a separate antivenom for the viper family of snakes, which includes rattlesnakes and pit vipers.
The ultimate goal is to create a universal antivenom that works for nearly all snake bites, saving countless lives, especially in rural communities in developing countries where snake bites are common and medical care is limited. To achieve this, the team hopes to gain support from governments, charitable foundations, and pharmaceutical companies to fund large-scale production and clinical trials.
If successful, this new antivenom could revolutionize how snake bites are treated, making life-saving care more accessible and reducing deaths worldwide.
