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Broadly — 2025 — Medical-conditions — Antivenom — Science — Health-and-wellness — Wisconsin — Snakebites

Individual underwent approximately 200 snake bites in an endeavor to enhance snakebite antidote development.

Researchers developed a potent antivenom utilizing the blood of a Wisconsite who's deliberately been bitten by venomous snakes over the years. (Originally broadcast on All Things Considered, May 2, 2025.)

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Individual underwent approximately 200 snake bites in an endeavor to enhance snakebite antidote development.

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Whoa, check it out! Scientists have cooked up a potent universal antidote for snakebites, thanks to a thrill-seeking Wisconsin dude named Tim Friede. This badass dude intentionally got bitten by venomous snakes over 200 times to build up a superhuman immunity[1][2]. Here's the skinny on how they did it:

  1. Antibody extraction: Researchers, led by Joseph Glanville, scooped up those badass snake-fighting antibodies straight from Friede's blood samples[1].
  2. Cocktail creation: They mixed those two key antibodies with varespladib, a toxin-blocking drug, creating a fiery serum that can neutralize venom from multiple snake species[1].
  3. Testing: This concoction provided full protection against deadly doses of venom from 13 snake species (including black mambas, taipans, and cobras) and partial protection against six others in mice[1][2].

This new approach skips the traditional antidote production methods that rely on animal inoculations and species-specific brews, offering a potential universal solution to snakebites[1]. The researchers are quick to stress that Tim's self-immunization gig was dangerously insane and should not be attempted for antidote development purposes[1]. Isn't science awesome? But seriously, don't try this at home!

  1. By 2025, the advancement in science and medical-conditions field could see the broader application of antivenom therapies and treatments, thanks to the research conducted on Wisconsin-based individual Tim Friede.
  2. Due to his selfless act of intentionally receiving multiple snakebites, Tim Friede has played a crucial role in the production of a universally effective antivenom for various snakebites, which was developed through the extraction of his antibodies and the addition of the toxin-blocking drug, varespladib.
  3. Though Tim's method of self-immunization against venomous snakes should never be replicated, the creation of a cocktail containing his antibodies offers a promising alternative to traditional antidote production methods that are often species-specific and rely on animal inoculations.
  4. As a result, this new, revolutionary antivenom may significantly impact the health-and-wellness landscape, particularly in less-developed regions plagued by deadly snakebites, providing a lifesaving solution that could cater to various medical-conditions arising from snakebites.
Researchers developed a potent anti-venom from a Wisconsin resident's blood, who enthusiastically subjected himself to various lethal snakebites over the years. (initially broadcast on All Things Considered on May 2, 2025)
Researchers developed a potent antivenom exploiting the blood of a Wisconsonian fellow, who has spent extended periods deliberately subjecting himself to lethal snakebites. (Initial broadcast on All Things Considered, dated May 2, 2025.)
Researchers developed a universally potent antivenom, sourcing it from a Wisconsin resident who's dedicated decades to voluntarily enduring lethal snake bites. The report was initially broadcast on All Things Considered on May 2nd, 2025.

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