New Science Breakthrough in Snakebite Antivenom

The researchers produce universal snakebite antivenom that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of snakebites worldwide and the death rate.

One of the most fatal yet least studied epidemics in the world, snakebites could be transformed into one of the key achievements of science. Some of these anti-venom discoveries by researchers of DTU Bioengineering include a new, broad-spectrum antivenom that serves as a more reliable and safer substitute to traditional antivenom approaches by being effective against 17 snake species across Africa.

For more than a hundred years the antivenom production has been based on the excessive practice of injecting snake venom in horses and isolating antibodies, which is very dangerous, unequivocal, and costly because of its unstable nature. This obsolete practice can rarely stop such a serious tissue injury and every year there are thousands of disabled people.

The phage display technology in the new science approach generates high-quality nanobodies without the use of animals. Alpacas and llamas were vaccinated against combinations of venom, and over 3,000 nanobody clones had been screened and researchers found eight potent antibody fragments that could neutralize various toxins.

In intensive experimentation, the nanobody cocktail was able to prevent the activity of 17 of 18 venoms in pre-incubation experiments and full lethality was prevented in 6 of 11 situational tests. The new solution was better than leading commercial antivenoms in almost all evaluated species.

The treatment is an innovation in science that also prevents intense tissue injuries that may limit the long-term debilitating effects due to snakebites.

Although they still require more development before clinical implementation, scientists feel that the antivenom can be produced in large quantities at low costs, can be kept at room temperature, and provides protection at the continental level, which will become a groundbreaking event in the world of health and science.