In a remarkable case of self-experimentation, Tim Friede has survived an astonishing number of snakebites—over 200—on purpose. For nearly two decades, he has deliberately allowed some of the world's most dangerous snakes to bite him as part of an unconventional effort to develop a new antivenom. His extraordinary journey could provide critical advancements in snakebite treatment and ultimately save thousands of lives globally.

Overview of Snakebite Issues

Every year, snakebites affect approximately 2.7 million people, leading to around 120,000 deaths and 400,000 injuries, as reported by The New York Times. This creates an urgent need for effective treatments to combat the effects of venom from various snake species.

Friede's Self-Experimentation

Tim Friede, a 57-year-old from Wisconsin, has spent nearly 20 years injecting himself repeatedly with the venom of several snake species to develop an immunity. His bold actions have included housing as many as 60 venomous snakes in his home, emphasizing a commitment to scientific progress.

In a striking two-minute video, Friede is seen calmly enduring bites from two of the deadliest snakes—the black mamba and the taipan—while he bleeds from his arms, smiling as he says, “Thanks for watching.” This audacity, however, has not been without peril; in 2001, Friede fell into a coma for four days after being bitten by two cobras. This near-fatal experience led him to refine his methodology.

Scientific Breakthroughs

Recent research led by Jacob Glanville and his colleagues at Centivax has yielded significant findings from Friede's blood. They isolated two potent antibodies capable of neutralizing the venom from 19 different snake species when combined with the drug varespladib. This is a major advancement in the field of antivenom development, as traditional antivenoms typically only target a limited range of closely related species.

Antibody Protection Offered Snake Species
Antibody 1 Protection against six snake species Black Mamba, Cobra, and others
Combination of Antibodies Protection against 13 venoms, partial protection against six more Includes Venoms from Taipans and Others

Moving Beyond Traditional Antivenoms

Traditional manufacturing methods for antivenom involve injecting animals like horses or sheep with small quantities of venom and then harvesting the antibodies their bodies produce. This method has limitations, including potential allergic reactions and effectiveness restricted to certain species. By using human-derived antibodies in synergy with varespladib, researchers aim to broaden the antivenom's range and reduce side effects.

“I'm really proud that I can do something in life for humanity, to make a difference for people that are 8,000 miles away.” – Tim Friede

Future Directions in Snakebite Research

Looking ahead, researchers plan to conduct further tests of this novel treatment, beginning with trials involving dogs bitten by snakes in Australia, a country known for its variety of venomous serpents. These exploratory studies will be pivotal in determining the efficacy of this new antivenom in real-world scenarios.

Conclusion

After years dedicated to his radical experimentation, Friede has stated that his snakebite days are over, with his last recorded bite occurring in 2018. Nonetheless, he still finds a deep connection to the snakes and hints at the possibility of returning to his work in the future.

For more information on this groundbreaking research, see: Man bitten by snakes 200 times may help create new antivenom.

Citation

Edwards, I. (2025, May 10). Man bitten by snakes 200 times may help create new antivenom. Science X. Retrieved from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-bitten-snakes-antivenom.html

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