Individual voluntarily underwent roughly 200 snake bites in a bid to improve the efficacy of snakebite antivenom.
Snake enthusiast Tim Friede, who's been bit by over 200 venomous snakes, has played a crucial role in a groundbreaking study published in the journal Cell. The research outlines a potential breakthrough in developing a universal antivenom that could revolutionize the treatment of snakebites.
Every year, venomous snake bites cause death and disability for tens of thousands of people worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries bearing a heavy burden. The diversity in venom form and function has been a significant challenge in creating a universal antivenom.
Enter Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, who sought a new approach to universal antivenom creation. Inspired by his work on a universal flu vaccine, Glanville aimed to find a common molecular site across multiple venom toxins from different snakes, which he could target with human antibodies. After a fruitless search, he discovered Tim Friede, a man who had voluntarily and repeatedly exposed himself to various venomous snake species.
Friede, the director of herpetology at Centivax, has developed a unique immune response to snake venoms, as evident in the antibodies found in his blood. Scanning his blood, the researchers identified two broad-acting antibodies: LNX-D09 and X-B03.
LNX-D09, combined with the drug varespladib, effectively neutralized neurotoxins from five snake species in mice, providing full protection against black mambas and a mix of cobras. The team then added X-B03 to the cocktail, which further enhanced the antivenom's protection capabilities. The resulting combination offered mice complete protection against 13 snake species and partial protection against six others.
This cocktail of three components represents a significant step towards a universal antivenom, offering hope for the millions affected by snakebites annually. While further developments, clinical trials, and refinements are necessary, the potential impact on global health is immense, particularly in regions plagued by venomous snake species and limited access to specific antivenoms.
For Tim Friede, this effort represents a way to give back to science and help those affected by venomous snakebites worldwide. Despite voluntarily stepping away from self-immunization at Glanville's recommendation, he admits to missing the thrill of facing off with venomous snakes. Nonetheless, he remains proud of his role in the discovery and development of this revolutionary antivenom.
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Tim Friede, a snake enthusiast and the director of herpetology at Centivax, agrees with the potential revolution in the treatment of snakebites by the universal antivenom formulations. The discovery of broad-acting antibodies, LNX-D09, and X-B03 in his blood, which he developed due to his unique immune response to snake venoms, could permanently change the landscape of medical-conditions related to snakebites. This health-and-wellness breakthrough, published in the journal Cell, targets common molecular sites across multiple venom toxins from various snake species and has shown promising results in mice. The news of this progress in snakebite treatment could significantly impact low- and middle-income countries, where snakebites cause death and disability for many people every year.
