Man's Repeated Snake Bites Spark New Antivenom Development Hopes
Reborn from Venom's Jaws: Tim Friede, a Man on a Unique Medical Mission
On the bleak day following the September 11 attacks, Tim Friede, a small-town Wisconsin resident, sought solace in his basement. There, he encountered the world's deadliest snakes and intentionally let them bite him. Four days later, he awakened from a coma, his spirit undeterred.
"I've tasted death, thanks to snake venom," Friede shared with AFP during a video call, his voice echoing with a hint of pride.
This harrowing experience didn't shaking his resolve; it only fueled a growing fascination with venomous reptiles. From 2000 to 2018, Friede allowed himself to be bitten more than two hundred times, and self-injected himself with their venom over six hundred times. This painful path was taken to achieve total immunity to venom, a practice known as mithridatism - an unconventional pursuit that defies most safety guidelines.
Friede's journey took a promising turn when, last month, a study published in the prestigious Cell journal revealed that antibodies from his blood offered protection against a diverse range of snake venom. Scientists are now hopeful that Friede's meager immunity could pave the way for the development of a universal antivenom, a much-needed solution that could save countless lives.
Every year, up to 138,000 individuals succumb to snakebites, while an additional 400,000 suffer life-altering complications such as amputations [3]. These figures are widely believed to be significantly underestimated, as snakebite victims are often found in remote, impoverished areas, making it difficult to accurately track accurate data.
Pain and Perseverance
Friede's relationship with snakes began in earnest during his childhood. His first taste, so to speak, was from a common garter snake when he was just five years old. Frightened and crying, he ran away, but this fear subsided as he grew older. His fascination with snakes grew, and he became notorious for bringing them home and hiding them in pickle jars. His mother even sought counseling to help him quell his unusual interest.
Matters escalated when Friede attended a class teaching the art of milking snakes for their venom. The process of creating antivenom, which has essentially remained unchanged since its inception 125 years ago, involves injecting small doses of snake venom into animals such as horses. These animals then produce antibodies, which can be extracted and used to develop antivenom.
However, this antivenom is species-specific, and it often includes harmful horse antibodies that can cause severe side effects, including anaphylactic shock. Intrigued by the concept, but disappointed by the limitations of existing antivenom, Friede declared, "I thought, well, if they make antivenom in horses, why can't I just use myself as a primate?"
He ventured forth, experimenting with the venom from the deadliest snakes he could obtain, including cobras, taipans, black mambas, and rattlesnakes. "There is pain every time," he admitted [2].
A Breakthrough in Sight
For years, Friede struggled to gain recognition from the scientific community. His unorthodox approach to antivenom research left him on the fringes of the scientific establishment.
However, in 2017, things began to change when immunologist Jacob Glanville turned his attention towards antivenom. Having previously worked on universal vaccines, Glanville was searching for an accidental snake bite victim who could potentially contribute to antivenom research.
Glanville began following Friede's exploits and reached out to him, expressing a desire to use his blood for their research. Friede eagerly agreed, marking the beginning of a unique collaboration between a self-taught snake enthusiast and a renowned scientist.
The antivenom described in the Cell paper includes two antibodies from Friede's blood, as well as a drug called varespladib. This concoction demonstrated full protection against 13 of the 19 snake species tested, while offering partial protection for the remaining six [1]. Scientists believe that a future cocktail, which may still include additional components, will provide far-reaching protection, particularly for vipers. Further trials on dogs in Australia are planned to continue refining the antivenom.
Timothy Jackson of the Australian Venom Research Unit hailed the immunological research as groundbreaking but questioned whether human involvement was truly necessary, given the development of synthetic antibodies. Glanville, on the other hand, maintained that the ultimate goal of his US-based firm Centivax was to create a universal antivenom, administered via a device similar to an EpiPen, potentially produced in India to keep costs low.
Friede expressed his sense of pride in making a "small but significant difference" in medical history and his hope to continue working with Centivax to develop a more effective, accessible, and affordable antivenom. Despite stepping away from self-administration of venom in 2018 due to liability concerns, Friede admitted that he missed the thrill of working with these dangerous creatures.
References1. Cell - Antibodies from a human allergic to snakes show broad activity against snake venoms2. On The Origin Of Antivenom: A History Of Snakebites And Antivenom Production3. World Health Organization - Snakebite4. Enrichment Data - Tim Friede's Hyper-Immunity and the Development of a Universal Antivenom
"Tim Friede's unique medical journey, rooted in his fascination with venomous reptiles, is revolutionizing the field of health and wellness, particularly in the treatment of medical-conditions such as snakebites. His immunity, developed through the unconventional practice of mithridatism, holds promise for the creation of a universal antivenom, a breakthrough that could drastically reduce the global health crisis caused by snakebites."
"Furthermore, the history of antivenom production and the research conducted by Tim Friede offers valuable insights into the relationship between health, science, and medical-conditions, highlighting the potential for breakthroughs in health and wellness that emerge from unconventional paths."
