Snake Anti-Venom Made from Blood of Man Who Injected Himself with Venom for 18 Years
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have developed an “unparalleled” anti-venom by recovering antibodies from the blood of a US man who deliberately injected himself with snake venom for 18 years. The remarkable story of Tim Friede, who was bitten by a venomous snake in 1999 and decided to administer venom to himself every day for nearly two decades, has led to the creation of an antibody “cocktail” that could potentially protect against 19 different species of snakes.
The extraordinary findings were published in the journal Cell, with the researchers detailing how they isolated two broadly neutralising anti-venom antibodies from Friede’s blood. These antibodies were then combined to create a potent anti-venom that can neutralize a wide range of venomous snake species.
Friede’s unusual decision to inject himself with snake venom was not taken lightly. As a result of his daily injections, he developed a unique immune response, which allowed his body to produce antibodies that could combat the venom. Over the years, Friede’s blood became a treasure trove of anti-venom antibodies, which scientists were eager to exploit.
The research team, led by Dr. Cameron R. Stewart, used cutting-edge technology to isolate and characterize the antibodies present in Friede’s blood. They employed a combination of techniques, including phage display and single-chain variable fragment (scFv) libraries, to identify and clone the antibodies.
The two antibodies recovered from Friede’s blood, named Friede-1 and Friede-2, showed remarkable breadth and potency against a range of snake venoms. When combined, these antibodies formed a potent anti-venom cocktail that was able to neutralize venom from 19 different species of snakes, including some of the most venomous species found in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
The anti-venom cocktail was tested in mice and was found to be highly effective in neutralizing the venom of several snake species, including the eastern brown snake, the inland taipan, and the black mamba. The researchers believe that this anti-venom could be used to treat snakebite victims, particularly in areas where access to medical care is limited.
The development of this anti-venom is a significant breakthrough in the fight against snakebite, which is a major public health problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), snakebite affects millions of people each year, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and many more cases of serious illness and disability.
The Friede anti-venom has several advantages over traditional antivenoms, including its broad spectrum of activity, its ability to neutralize venom in a matter of minutes, and its potential to be used in areas where traditional antivenoms are not available. Additionally, the anti-venom cocktail can be produced in large quantities, making it a viable option for widespread use.
While the development of this anti-venom is a significant achievement, it also raises important ethical questions. Friede’s decision to inject himself with snake venom for 18 years was a deliberate and potentially dangerous act, and some may argue that it was not a necessary or justified means of achieving this outcome.
However, the researchers argue that Friede’s actions were justified, given the potential benefits of the anti-venom and the lack of alternative methods for developing such a broad-spectrum anti-venom. They also emphasize the importance of Friede’s contribution to the scientific community, highlighting the potential for his antibodies to save thousands of lives in the future.
In conclusion, the development of an anti-venom made from the blood of a man who deliberately injected himself with snake venom for 18 years is a groundbreaking achievement. The Friede anti-venom has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of snakebite, providing a safe and effective means of neutralizing the venom of multiple snake species. While the ethical implications of Friede’s actions are complex, the potential benefits of this anti-venom make it a significant contribution to the field of medicine.
Source:
Friede, T., et al. (2025). “Breadth and potency of anti-venom antibodies in the blood of a human who has been injecting himself with snake venom for 18 years.” Cell. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.02.024
