New Nanobody-Based Anti-Venom Promises Breakthrough in Treating Snakebites

Healthcare/Biotech

Updated on 31 Oct 2025, 06:50 am

Reviewed By

Aditi Singh | Whalesbook News Team

Short Description :

International researchers have developed a revolutionary anti-venom for snakebites, a neglected tropical disease causing millions of deaths annually. Unlike traditional methods using large antibodies, this new approach utilizes antibody fragments called 'nanobodies.' This technology offers significant advantages, including broader effectiveness against multiple snake species, faster tissue penetration, reduced risk of severe side effects, and better neutralization of venom toxins. The new anti-venom has shown promising results in neutralizing venom from 17 out of 18 tested African snake species. Clinical trials are anticipated within one to two years.

New Nanobody-Based Anti-Venom Promises Breakthrough in Treating Snakebites

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Detailed Coverage :

An international research team, led by Andreas Hougaard Laustsen-Kiel from DTU Bioengineering in Denmark, has developed a potential game-changer for snakebite envenoming, a neglected tropical disease causing significant global mortality and morbidity. This new anti-venom utilizes antibody fragments called 'nanobodies,' offering advantages over traditional methods which use larger antibodies from animals like horses. Nanobodies are smaller, penetrate tissues faster and deeper, and carry a lower risk of severe immune reactions. A major limitation of current anti-venoms is their specificity to only a few snake species. The new research combines eight nanobodies into a cocktail effective against venom from 18 medically relevant African snake species. Preclinical tests showed it neutralized venom from 17 out of 18 species.

Impact: This breakthrough could significantly reduce snakebite-related deaths, disabilities, and amputations worldwide, particularly in affected tropical regions. It offers hope for more effective and safer treatment options. Rating: 9/10

Difficult Terms: * Nanobodies: Antibody fragments, much smaller than conventional antibodies, used in the new anti-venom for better tissue penetration and reduced side effects. * Snakebite Envenoming: A disease caused by the injection of venom from a venomous snake. * Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD): Infectious diseases affecting poor populations in tropical/subtropical regions. * Antibodies: Proteins produced by the immune system to fight infections. * Neurotoxins: Poisons that attack the nervous system, causing paralysis. * Cytotoxins: Poisons that damage cells and tissues. * In vivo testing: Experiments conducted within a living organism.