Eighteen Years of Venom: How One Man's Dangerous Obsession May Have Cracked the Code to Universal Snakebite Antivenom

Source

For nearly two decades, a man named Tim Friede subjected himself to an unusual and dangerous personal experiment: he repeatedly injected himself with snake venom and allowed bites from some of the world's most venomous snakes, including cobras, mambas, and taipans. His unconventional approach to self-immunization has now contributed to what scientists describe as an unprecedented breakthrough in the development of antivenom.

Friede, a self-taught enthusiast based in the United States, embarked on this risky journey initially to protect himself while handling snakes. Over time, however, his goal shifted toward a more ambitious mission — helping others. Each injection and bite became part of a long-term effort to build broad immunity, which he meticulously documented. Though early on the approach nearly cost him his life, Friede persisted, enduring hundreds of venom exposures over 18 years.

Traditional antivenoms have long relied on injecting animals like horses with small amounts of venom to stimulate antibody production. These antibodies are then harvested and processed into treatments. However, such antivenoms must closely match the specific snake species involved, as venom composition varies not only between species but even among populations of the same species in different regions. This specificity makes treatment in remote or under-resourced areas especially difficult.

Seeking a more universal solution, scientists began searching for a type of immune defense capable of neutralizing a broader spectrum of venom toxins. That’s when Dr. Jacob Glanville, an immunologist and CEO of biotech firm Centivax, took notice of Friede’s extraordinary history. Realizing the potential, he reached out to Friede, asking for a blood sample — a request Friede welcomed, saying he had been waiting for such an opportunity.

Source

The researchers analyzed the antibodies in Friede’s blood, focusing on a class of snakes called elapids — a group known for neurotoxic venom, which can paralyze muscles and shut down respiration. Using samples from 19 of the deadliest elapid species, they identified two potent antibodies in Friede’s blood that were able to neutralize two distinct classes of neurotoxins. They then combined these antibodies with varespladib, a small-molecule drug that blocks an enzyme involved in most snake venoms.

This three-part cocktail was tested on mice, yielding remarkable results. Mice injected with lethal doses of venom from 13 of the 19 snake species survived completely, and those exposed to the other six experienced partial protection. This level of cross-species protection had not been achieved before and offers a promising foundation for the development of a broad-spectrum antivenom.

While the current focus is on elapids, future research may extend to vipers — snakes that typically use blood-damaging (hemotoxic) venoms. The ultimate goal is either a single universal antivenom or a dual-solution system: one for elapids and one for vipers.

Despite its promise, the new antivenom still requires extensive testing before it can be used in humans. Scientists caution against attempting Friede’s method of self-immunization, as snake venom is highly dangerous and unpredictable. Friede himself stopped the practice in 2018 after several life-threatening episodes and now works with Centivax, contributing to ongoing research.

Experts in the field have praised the project as a creative and potentially game-changing approach to snakebite treatment. If approved for clinical use, the new therapy could significantly reduce deaths and long-term disabilities caused by snakebites, especially in areas where traditional antivenoms are not accessible or effective.

Source 1
Source 2