In a groundbreaking move in the field of medicine, researchers have developed a potential universal antivenom that could protect against various venomous snake species, thanks to a volunteer named Tim Friede.
Friede, a dedicated snake enthusiast, began allowing himself to be bitten by snakes in 2001 to raise awareness about the dangers of venomous snake bites and to investigate the potential for immunity against snake venoms.
With a history of hunting snakes in his youth in Wisconsin, his fascination shifted to venomous types in adulthood, and he has willingly endured around 200 snake bites over nearly twenty-five years of self-experimentation.
“My first couple bites were really crazy,” Friede recalls. “It’s like a bee sting times a thousand. I mean, you can have levels of anxiety that goes through the roof.”
While he faced significant challenges, including being placed in intensive care after two cobra bites, Friede’s resilience and determination to help humanity persisted. His focus now is on developing a way to combat the serious health issues caused by venomous snakes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 138,000 people die worldwide from snake bites every year, while hundreds of thousands more are permanently disabled, suffering from complications that can arise from these bites.
The problem is particularly pronounced in low-to-middle-income countries where public health resources are strained, exacerbating the impact of snake bites.
Certain regions, like Papua New Guinea, grapple with neurotoxic venom that poses a severe risk of paralysis for bite victims, limiting their ability to breathe and often leading to suffocation.
Others may encounter venom that affects blood clotting, leading to strokes or heart attacks.
This variety in venom, affecting different bodily functions and resulting in diverse symptoms, complicates the development of a universal antivenom.
Traditionally, antivenoms are created using antibodies harvested from animals such as horses that have been injected with venom over time. Despite improvements in production processes, Jacob Glanville, CEO of the biotech firm Centivax, aimed for a novel approach to develop a broad-spectrum antidote.
He contemplated that instead of utilizing animal antibodies, human antibodies from a person with extensive venom exposure could uncover shared molecular targets across various snake venoms.
Finding that person led him to Tim Friede, who was surprised yet intrigued when Glanville expressed, “You’re the guy I’m looking for. We need your blood. We need your antibodies.”
Once Friede consented, Glanville and his team began scanning his immune response to determine which antibodies could neutralize the venom of multiple snakes. They discovered an ultra-broad antibody capable of binding to a critical site used by neurotoxins to induce paralysis.
This antibody provided substantial protection to mice against venom from several snakes—including the black mamba and a blend of cobras—fueling excitement among researchers.
Encouraged by promising initial results, Glanville and his colleagues sought to create a more comprehensive antivenom cocktail. They incorporated varespladib, a small molecule known to act against certain snake venoms. This addition broadened the protective coverage, aiding some additional snake species while also reinforcing the efficacy against previously targeted species.
Further analysis of Friede’s blood revealed a second potent antibody that, when combined with the first one and varespladib, yielded robust protection across a diverse array of venomous snakes—including those from Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America.
The resulting antivenom cocktail displayed complete protection against 13 species and partial protection against six more, a noteworthy achievement in antivenom development.
Experts in the field have highlighted the significance of this research, noting that while other antivenoms exist that cover multiple snake species, this study marks the first instance where synthetic antibodies were utilized in such a manner.
Stuart Ainsworth, a molecular biologist at the University of Liverpool, stated that these findings pave the way toward designing universal antibodies but cautioned that challenges lie ahead, especially regarding human trials and ensuring effectiveness against various viper species—representing nearly half of venomous snakes.
Williams, a scientist evaluating antivenoms for WHO, expressed interest in seeing how this new antivenom performs in clinical settings, emphasizing the complexities inherent in snake venoms and the potential for additional toxins to impact treatment outcomes.
As Centivax continues its research, the team plans to test the antivenom cocktail in dogs who have suffered snake bites in Australia, measuring safety and effectiveness before progressing to human trials.
Glanville hopes to secure funding from philanthropists or organizations to facilitate clinical studies, aiming for affordability and accessibility for populations severely affected by snake bites.
Ultimately, with an estimated market of $600 million a year split across numerous antivenoms, a single universal treatment could revolutionize access to life-saving interventions.
Tim Friede, now serving as the director of herpetology at Centivax, expresses pride in his contributions, recognizing the potential impact on countless lives suffering from snakebites.
Reflecting on his journey, Friede acknowledges a sense of fulfillment from participating in the scientific process. “I couldn’t believe it. I really couldn’t believe it. I know I’m doing something for humanity and giving back to science,” he stated, marveling at the progress.
Although he has not allowed himself to be bitten in several years upon Glanville’s advice, Friede admits to missing the adrenaline rush of facing his fears, underscoring the mental fortitude gained from such experiences.
“To know you can beat that and keep your calm and keep your cool, it’s a wonderful thing,” Friede concluded, reinforcing the interplay between human resilience and scientific innovation as a means to tackle the urgent challenges posed by venomous snakes around the world.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/05/02/nx-s1-5381017/snake-bite-venom-antivenom-tim-friede-universal
