For over 20 years, the American Tim Friede has voluntarily injected with small doses of snake poison in an attempt to create toxin resistance. What has begun as an extreme experience has now become a scientific advance with promising potential: its body has developed antibodies that are serving as the basis for a new type of antidote.
The American Timothy Peace gives himself the poison of the most fatal snakes in the world for science. That could save many human life. What drives him?
– Tagesanzeiger (@tagengeiger)
Tim Friede has let deadly snakes bite him over 200 times. For more than two decades, he’s been building immunity to help scientists create a universal antivenom.
Now, his blood is being used to develop a treatment that may protect people from a wide range of snakebites and save…
— Complex (@Complex)
Biotechnology company Centivax has identified two of these antibodies-LNX-D09 and SNX-B03-capable of neutralizing neurotoxic poisons from various species, such as najas and black mambas. When combined with Varespladib drug, they offered full protection to laboratory test mouse. As they are derived from human antibodies, these treatments may avoid the common side effects of traditional antivestins made from animal serum.
Despite the good results, the antidote is not yet effective against vipers poisons, which affect the circulatory system. The purpose of the investigation is to create effective, accessible and applicable treatment even in areas with few medical resources. Tim Friede, with his unorthodox method, may have helped save thousands of lives in the future.
