Tim Friede's deliberate exposure to snake venom over nearly two decades enabled the creation of a novel antivenom. Researchers isolated antibodies from Friede's blood that neutralized the venom of 19 different snake species in mice.
For nearly two decades, Tim Friede, a self-taught snake expert from California, dedicated himself to a unique and dangerous experiment. He intentionally exposed himself to the venom of some of the world's most deadly snakes, including cobras, mambas, and rattlesnakes, through injections and bites. This remarkable exposure led to the development of immunity to several deadly neurotoxins. In 2017, Dr.
Angus Glanville, a biotechnologist, came across media reports about Friede's extraordinary ordeal. Glanville, recognizing the invaluable medical potential, contacted Friede. Intrigued by the opportunity, Friede agreed to donate a blood sample to Glanville's research team at CapeBio. Eight years later, Glanville, along with Peter Kwong, a professor at Columbia University, published their findings on a groundbreaking new antivenom. Based on the antibodies found in Friede's blood and a venom-blocking drug called varespladib, this antivenom proved effective against the venom of 19 different poisonous snake species in mice experiments. The researchers meticulously isolated antibodies from Friede's blood that targeted the neurotoxins present in each snake species. They then tested these antibodies one by one in mice poisoned by the venom of each of these 19 species to determine the minimal components needed for complete neutralization. The team formulated a unique cocktail of two antibodies extracted from Friede's blood and varespladib, a small-molecule drug that inhibits an enzyme present in 95% of snake bite cases. The final antivenom, consisting of a combination of these components, provided 100% protection against the venom of 13 snake species and partial protection (20% to 40%) for the remaining six. Importantly, the human source of the antibodies in this antivenom may reduce the risk of allergic reactions, a common side effect associated with traditional antivenoms derived from horses or other animals. While not yet tested in humans, this innovative antivenom holds significant promise for treating snakebites, which tragically claim over 200 lives daily, primarily in developing nations. Glanville, who grew up in rural Guatemala, was personally motivated by the devastating health consequences of snakebites. He recognized Friede's extraordinary experience as a unique opportunity to revolutionize antivenom production. The creation of this antibody-based antivenom not only represents a significant scientific achievement but also offers hope for saving countless lives
Snakebite Antivenom Antibodies Venom Medical Breakthrough Immunology
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