Transforming Snakebite Treatment: How One Man’s Hundreds of Venom Injections Could Pave the Way for a Breakthrough | CNN

The Quest for a Universal Antivenom: Tim Friede’s Extraordinary Journey

Immunologist Jacob Glanville was intrigued by a 2017 news report about Tim Friede, a California man who had spent nearly 18 years exposing himself to the venom of some of the world’s deadliest snakes. Initially dismissed as sensational, Glanville perceived a unique opportunity: could Friede’s unique immunity inform new treatments for snakebites?

Friede, a self-taught snake expert, intentionally injected himself with venom and allowed bites from various snakes, effectively growing a tolerance to their neurotoxins. When Glanville reached out to him, Friede eagerly agreed to provide a blood sample for research.

The collaboration led to groundbreaking results. In 2023, Glanville and his team published findings in the journal Cell, unveiling an innovative antivenom that could potentially protect against bites from 19 species of poisonous snakes. This revelation could reshape how we address snakebite treatment, which the World Health Organization identifies as a neglected global health crisis, affecting over 400,000 people annually with disabilities and claiming around 200 lives each day.

Traditionally, creating antivenom involves “milking” venom from snakes, injecting it into animals like horses to generate an immune response, and then processing their blood to extract antibodies. This method has not changed fundamentally since Victorian times, and it comes with risks of serious side effects due to reactions to animal proteins.

Experts, including Glanville, have long argued for a better approach. Friede’s unique exposure produced robust antibodies against snake venoms. In their study, researchers isolated these antibodies and tested them on mice, effectively neutralizing venom from species including cobras, mambas, and coral snakes. The final formulation included two human-derived antibodies and a small-molecule drug called varespladib, known to inhibit an enzyme present in the majority of snakebite cases.

Steven Hall, a pharmacologist at Lancaster University, applauded the study as a “very clever and creative way” to develop antivenom. He noted the potential for fewer side effects compared to traditional methods, highlighting that this approach could transform snakebite treatment if successful in human trials.

Despite the exciting progress, challenges remain. The initial findings focused on elapid snakes, not including viperids such as rattlesnakes. The team plans to explore additional antibodies for broader protection.

Glanville’s journey originated in his childhood in rural Guatemala, where snakebites were a pervasive threat. His early experiences fueled his passion for improving public health strategies facing such global issues. As their research advances, the team hopes to eventually create cocktails tailored to different regions, enabling timely treatment in areas most affected by snakebites.

While Friede has stopped his risky self-immunization after several close calls, he now works alongside Glanville at Centivax, the biotechnology company they founded together. The development of a universal antivenom may not only change how snakebites are treated but could also save countless lives.

For more details on the global impacts of snakebites and emerging solutions, check the World Health Organization’s resources here.

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