“I was bitten by more than 200 snakes”: the shocking story of the man whose blood could produce antivenom

Tim Friede, a man from the United Statesallowed himself to be bitten by 200 snakes over several years and injected poison on more than 700 occasions.

All with an objective that borders on the absurd: to help scientists create a universal antivenin capable of protecting against some of the deadliest snakes on the planet.

The incredible story of Tim Friede

For almost two decades, Friede allowed cobras, mambas and different venomous snake species they would bite him to strengthen his immunity and generate antibodies capable of neutralizing lethal doses of poison.

He allowed himself to be bitten by snakes to create a universal antivenom.

What started as an extreme practice to improve your management of snakes drew the attention of the scientific community. Even after being left in a coma from two bites of cobraFriede moved forward with one fixed idea: to contribute to the development of better therapies for victims of bites.

What started as an extreme practice to improve your snake handling caught the attention of the scientific community. Even after left in a coma from two cobra bitesFriede moved forward with one fixed idea: to encourage the development of more effective therapies for bite victims.

How the antivenin project progressed

His case aroused the doctor’s interest. Jacob GlanvilleCEO of the biotechnology company Centivax, who contacted him bluntly: “I know it sounds strange, but I want to get a little of your blood”said the researcher.

The samples, taken under ethical approval, allowed us to analyze the immunological defenses which Friede developed after years of exposure.

The researchers focused on the elapidsfamily that includes mambas, cobras, kraits y coral snakesknown for their powerful neurotoxinas capable of paralyzing the muscles that allow breathing.

The extreme experiment that could change emergency medicine. Photo: Shutterstock

Glanville selected 19 species that the World Health Organization (OMS) identified as the deadliest in the world. The study identified two antibodies in Friede’s blood capable of attacking two types of common neurotoxins in various snakes. To this he added a drug that neutralizes a third type of toxin, resulting in an experimental antivenin cocktail.

Animal testing

Tests on mice showed surprising results: the animals survived lethal doses of the venom. 13 of the 19 species analyzed and registered partial protection against the remaining 6. According to Glanville, this breadth of effectiveness is “unprecedented” and could open the door to a universal antivenin, something that does not exist today, since the current treatments They are designed for each species.

The team maintains that there is still work to be done: improving antibodies, add a fourth component and, later, carry out trials in humans. It must also be move forward on another challenge: develop protection against viperid toxins, which act differently and cause internal bleeding instead of paralysis.

An antivenin in progress: science is advancing, but great challenges remain. Photo: Shutterstock

Nicholas Casewell, director del Center for Snakebite Research and Interventions of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicinecalled the finding “innovative” and stated that it “provides solid evidence that combining few antibodies and drugs can be a viable therapeutic strategy for bitten patients in many parts of the world.”

For Friede, who faced pain and risk for years, the reward is emotional: “I do something good for humanity. «I’m proud,» he said.

The truth is that, thanks to their contribution, a possible medical revolution seems closer.