Scientists say that the blood of a man who deliberately injected himself with snake venom for almost two decades has led to an “unparalleled” antivenom.
Tim Friede from the US, has injected himself with snake venom over 700 times and endured more than 200 bites, building up immunity to some of the world’s deadliest snakes — including multiple species of mambas, cobras and taipans. Now, his blood has helped scientists develop what may be the a universal antivenom for a major group of snakes.
Snakebites kill up to 140,000 people each year, mostly in poorer regions with limited access to targeted antivenom. Current treatments only work if they’re matched to the exact snake species which is difficult in emergencies.
Researchers from biotech firm Centivax and Columbia University analysed Friede’s blood and found broadly neutralising antibodies — immune defences that target common features in venom, not just species-specific toxins.
In lab tests on mice, the new antivenom protected against fatal doses from 13 of the 19 deadliest elapid snakes (such as mambas and cobras) and offered partial protection against the rest.
While this breakthrough focuses on neurotoxic snakes (elapids), scientists hope a similar approach could work for vipers, whose venom affects blood. Hopefully, we’re on the road to a single, universal treatment for all snakebites.
