Scientists used the blood of a man who injected himself with snake venom for 18 years to develop a broad-spectrum antivenom. In tests, the antitoxin protected mice from the venom of 19 dangerous snake species, including the king cobra.
The results and description of the research were published in the journal Cell (DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.03.050).
Over nearly 18 tears, Tim Friede, an American snake breeder, injected himself with diluted doses of venom from various dangerous snakes. His blood, saturated with antibodies to the venom of many reptile species, became the basis for a breakthrough antitoxin that can save lives in situations where current methods fail.
In the event of a venomous snake bite, it is crucial to quickly administer the appropriate serum to neutralize the toxins. Most available antitoxins only work on the venom of a specific species.
Friede injected himself with nearly 700 toxins, including cobra, taipan, and mamba venom. His snakes have bitten him over 200 times. He documented his experiences on YouTube, where his videos attracted the attention of scientists. It was thanks to these recordings that researchers became interested in his case, analyzing the mechanisms of antibody formation in his body.
His story caught the attention of Jacob Glanville, whose scientific interests revolved around the immune system. He collaborated with Peter Kwong, who was involved in vaccine design at Columbia University.
From Friede’s memory lymphocytes, the scientists isolated two antibodies, LNX-D09 and SNX-B03. Glanville’s work aims to create a universal antidote to the venom of many species, including those for which there is currently no cure.
Source: dzienniknaukowy.pl, Nature, Science, The Guardian
