A man named Tim Friede, who is a self-taught snake expert based in California, bravely exposed himself to snake venom for almost 18 years. Scientists utilized his blood to develop a new antivenom.
Immunologist Jacob Glanville discovered an intriguing story in 2017 about a man who willingly injected himself with venom from some of the deadliest snakes in the world, such as cobras, mambas, and rattlesnakes. This man, Tim Friede, had built up immunity to several neurotoxins through this risky practice.
Glanville reached out to Friede, who eagerly agreed to provide a blood sample for research. Over the course of eight years, Glanville and his colleague, Peter Kwong, developed an antivenom that could protect against bites from 19 venomous snake species, using antibodies found in Friede’s blood.
Friede has since stopped exposing himself to snake venom due to close calls and now works for Glanville’s biotechnology company. The research findings were recently published in the scientific journal Cell.
Snakebites are a serious problem worldwide, with many fatalities and disabilities resulting from them. Traditional methods of producing antivenom involve risks and inefficiencies, prompting the need for better treatment options.
Upon recognizing the challenges posed by snakebites, researchers were intrigued by Friede’s remarkable immunity and saw an unprecedented opportunity. Over nearly two decades, Friede had deliberately exposed himself to snake venom, generating potent antibodies effective against multiple snake neurotoxins simultaneously. The team extracted these antibodies from Friede’s blood, targeting neurotoxins from 19 different snake species, including coral snakes, mambas, cobras, and kraits. Through meticulous testing in mice poisoned by each species’ venom, they identified a powerful drug combination. This cocktail included two antibodies from Friede and varespladib, a small-molecule drug inhibiting a common snakebite enzyme, currently in human clinical trials as a standalone treatment.
Study coauthors Bellin and Hirou worked diligently throughout the research, preparing the antivenom. The first antibody, LNX-D09, provided protection against six snake species, with varespladib adding defense against three more. The team then introduced a second antibody, SNX-B03, extending protection across all 19 species. This antivenom demonstrated significant success, offering mice full protection against 13 species and partial protection against the remaining six.
Experts like snakebite pharmacologist Steven Hall praised this innovative approach as a potential game-changer in antivenom development. Utilizing antibodies and a small-molecule drug could lead to fewer side effects compared to traditional antivenoms derived from animals like horses. While not yet tested in humans, this groundbreaking cocktail has the potential to revolutionize snakebite treatment.
The research primarily focused on elapid snakes, omitting viperids like rattlesnakes and saw-scaled vipers. However, the team is exploring the possibility of expanding the antivenom to protect against viperids as well. The ultimate goal is to create a versatile pan-antivenom cocktail that can combat a wide range of snake species, catering to various regions with distinct snake populations. Exciting field research in Australia is on the horizon, where the antivenom could potentially be used to save dogs bitten by elapid snakes.
This innovative approach, if successful in clinical application, could transform the landscape of snakebite treatment, offering a comprehensive and effective solution for victims worldwide.
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