He let snakes bite him some 200 times to create a better snakebite antivenom

npr.orgPublished: 5/2/2025

Summary

Tim Friede's groundbreaking approach involved being bitten 200 times over a decade, offering invaluable insights into venomous snake behavior and neurotoxins, which he then shared with Dr. Guyver Glanville at Centivax. Their collaboration led to the development of a multi-component antivenom cocktail targeting broad-acting antigens in over 13 snake species. This innovation has the potential to drastically improve snakebite treatment, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance survival rates globally. Tim Friede is now expanding efforts to include vipers and scale production for widespread use, marking a significant leap forward in venomous snake management.