Researchers have developed a groundbreaking antivenom that neutralizes venom from 19 of the world’s most lethal snake species, a leap forward in combating snakebite emergencies.
Unlike century-old serum therapies produced in horses or sheep, this next‑generation remedy is lab‑made and designed to provide universal protection across multiple species. Early results indicate it could transform treatment paradigms, reducing reliance on region‑specific sera and minimizing adverse reactions.
The secret lies in the extraordinary contributions of Tim Friede, a U.S. snake enthusiast who endured over 200 intentional bites from 16 highly venomous species to build a unique “hyper‑immunity” in his bloodstream.
Researchers at Centivax, led by Dr. Jacob Glanville, isolated two potent antibodies—LNX‑D09 and SNX‑B03—from Friede’s blood and combined them with the small‑molecule inhibitor varespladib to formulate the cocktail. In a nod to modern science, the team leveraged high‑throughput toxin panels covering WHO’s category 1 and 2 snakes to ensure the antivenom’s broad applicability.
Controlled mouse studies demonstrated that LNX‑D09 alone protected against six snake venoms, adding varespladib extended defense to three more species, and SNX‑B03 completed full protection across all 19 targets. Overall, the three‑part cocktail achieved complete immunity for 13 species and partial protection for six additional snakes, hinting at the promise of further refinement for universal coverage.
Additional analysis reported in Nature confirms its efficacy against the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), underscoring its versatility against both African and Asian elapids Nature.
With snakebite envenomation responsible for over 110,000 deaths annually worldwide, the need for a universal, lab‑manufactured antivenom has never been more urgent. The researchers plan to begin veterinary trials in Australia, treating dogs that present with genuine snakebite injuries as a precursor to human clinical testing.
Concurrent efforts aim to adapt the approach to vipers, potentially producing two specialized cocktails—one for elapids like cobras and mambas and another for viperid species—to match regional snake profiles. Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the NIH’s SBIR program, and the U.S. Department of Energy, the team is now seeking partnerships to scale manufacturing for global distribution.
Experts herald this as a potential game‑changer, offering a safer, faster, and more equitable solution that could prevent thousands of deaths, especially in underserved rural communities.
Key Quote
“Not only did he potentially create these broadly neutralizing antibodies, it could give rise to a broad‑spectrum or universal antivenom.”
— Dr. Jacob Glanville
Be sure to check out the full article on Good News Network for all the fascinating details!
