Injected Himself With Snake Venom 856 Times
By Heraldviews
For 18 years, Tim Friede, a Wisconsin man, has injected himself with venom from the world’s deadliest snakes, some 856 times in total. His gruelling experiment has now borne fruit: researchers claim to have developed the most broadly effective snake antivenom to date, using antibodies harvested from Mr Friede’s blood.
Published on Saturday, the
study describes an antibody “cocktail” that, in mice, provided protection
against 19 species of snake, including Australia’s eastern brown snake and
inland taipan. Traditional antivenoms, made by immunising horses with small
doses of venom, are typically effective against only one or a few species. “The
current technology hasn’t really changed in over 100 years,” says Peter Kwong,
a biochemist at Columbia University and co-author of the study. The new
approach, he says, leverages modern antibody therapy.
The research team, led by Jacob
Glanville of Centivax, a biotech start-up, identified three antibodies—two from
Mr Friede’s blood—that together neutralised venom from the elapid family of
snakes. In mice, the treatment offered full protection against 13 species and
partial protection against six others. The next step is to expand coverage to
vipers, a group responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths globally.
Mr Friede’s extreme method of
self-immunisation began in the early 2000s as a way to protect himself from his
pet snakes. Over time, his body developed a robust antibody response. “This was
his lifelong project,” says Dr Glanville. But experts warn against replicating
his dangerous experiment. “It’s fun to put him in the loop, but it’s not the
only way,” says Timothy Jackson of the University of Melbourne’s Australian
Venom Research Unit.
The team hopes to produce a
universal antivenom that is cheaper, longer-lasting and more accessible than
current treatments, a critical goal for regions like South Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa, where snakebites kill tens of thousands annually. Yet hurdles remain, including
clinical trials in larger animals and humans. “Having a good drug is the easy
part,” says Dr Jackson. “The real challenge is ensuring it reaches those who
need it most.”
With additional agency report
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