An international team of researchers, led by Hougaard Laustsen-Kiel, has developed a promising new antivenom that demonstrates effectiveness against 17 out of 18 tested African snake species. This groundbreaking antivenom was created using a robust cocktail of eight highly specific and non-allergenic nanobodies. These nanobodies are effective against venom from all 18 medically important snakes, including cobras, mambas, and rinkhals.
Results from laboratory experiments showed that the new antivenom effectively neutralized venom from 17 different snake species. It was not enough to stand up against the venom from one of the green mamba species. In light of the rapidly escalating snakebite death toll, this antivenom has been created. The World Health Organization (WHO) agrees, classifying these deaths as the number one cause of mortality of all 21 neglected tropical diseases.
In sub-Saharan Africa alone, snakebites claim more than 300,000 lives every year, highlighting the extreme need for accessible and effective treatment. Compared with existing antivenoms, the new one provides better protection against tissue damage. It has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of severe immune-mediated reactions. This last factor is critical and the most innovative, as many existing antivenoms are triggers for negative reactions in patients, themselves.
Our research has shown that this new antivenom could be made for well under half the current market price. This new breakthrough would ensure it is much more available to those who need it most. With the right support, they expect that clinical trials would be able to start within one to two years. If everything goes well for the project, we might have a final product in three to four years. This incredible innovation is likely to save thousands of lives on the continent.
Laustsen-Kiel and his collaborators aren’t done pumping iron just yet. They have personally been involved in the antivenom’s creation, previously improving one of the nanobodies. Now they are getting busy on the critical work of improving a third. We strive to be innovators. Future recommendations Our objective was to raise awareness of the medical response to snakebites, in particular areas where vaccines are not available and effective antivenoms are urgently needed.