US EditionHuman Antibodies Drive Breakthrough in Broad-Spectrum Snake Antivenom
- Tim Friede, a man from Wisconsin, deliberately subjected himself to more than 200 venomous snakebites and over 850 immunizations over 18 years to build immunity against venom.
- He began self-immunizing by injecting escalating doses of venom from 16 highly lethal snake species out of curiosity and to protect himself from potentially fatal bites.
- Scientists from Centivax, including Peter Kwong of Columbia University, studied antibodies in Friede's blood and identified a cocktail that neutralizes venom from 19 snake species, aiming for broad-spectrum antivenom.
- Glanville said three antibody components provided full protection against 13 species and partial protection for others, but the antivenom is still experimental and only tested in mice so far.
- While Friede's antibodies could help develop new treatments, experts warn this is early research and advise against replicating his dangerous method, emphasizing the need for better accessible snakebite therapies worldwide.
291 Articles
291 Articles
He Injected Himself With Snake Venom for 18 Years, His Blood Could Save Lives
The blood of a man who survived more than 200 bites from poisonous snakes could be used to create an exceptionally effective antivenom. To gain immunity, the breeder voluntarily injected the toxins into his body several hundred times. In this way, he created a set of antibodies that work in the event of bites from many species.
Tim, the man who defies snake venom to give humanity the 'universal antidote'
What is Tim's power? Be immune to the attacks of any snake in the world and, thanks to its “mitridized” blood, save the lives of those who have been bitten by cobras, crotales, vipers, taipans, ashlar and so on poisoning
For 18 years, an American has been injecting himself with snake venom, and from his blood, scientists have made an antidote.
Scientists have used the blood of a man who for almost 18 years has been biting himself with deadly snakes and inflating them to create an antidote to a wide spectrum of action. Why is it so difficult to protect himself from snake bites — what is the new approach of scientists — and why did an American inject himself with poison?
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