The Egyptian cobra’s venom is among the many treated with a potential universal antivenom developed from Tim Friede's unique immunity gained over decades of deliberate snake bites. Having experienced life-threatening reactions, including ICU stays, Friede's journey raises questions about leveraging his self-directed research for broader public health benefits. Annually, millions face snake bites globally, leading to tens of thousands of fatalities. Current antivenoms are animal-derived, yet researchers aim to create a synthetic solution based on Friede's blood, promising a more universal antidote to venomous snake bites.
"It's like a bee sting times a thousand," Tim Friede says, describing his experience with snake bites, having been bitten over two hundred times by various venomous snakes.
Researchers studying Friede's blood hope to synthesize a treatment that could serve as a universal antivenom for multiple types of venomous snake bites, potentially saving lives.
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