Overview

• Researchers at NIH and Centivax have created a three-agent antivenom cocktail using antibodies from Tim Friede and the toxin inhibitor varespladib.
• The cocktail provided full protection in mice against venom from 13 elapid species, including cobras and black mambas, and partial protection against six others.
• Tim Friede, who endured 200 snakebites and over 700 venom injections, contributed unique antibodies that neutralize a wide range of snake toxins.
• Traditional antivenoms are species-specific and carry risks like serum sickness, highlighting the need for safer, broad-spectrum alternatives.
• Upcoming trials will test the antivenom on snake-bitten dogs in Australia, with researchers also exploring ways to cover viper venoms.