Short Wave New Antivenom, Thanks To 200 Intentional Snake Bites
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May 21, 2025 
Ari Daniel, a science reporter, dives into the fascinating world of snake antivenom research. He discusses Tim Friede's extreme journey of deliberately getting bitten over 200 times by various venomous snakes to build immunity. This unique approach paves the way for potentially developing a universal antivenom using human antibodies. They also explore the essential role of the immune system in fighting venom and the innovative collaborations aiming to refine antivenom cocktails for future human trials.
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Tim Friede's Snake Bite Experience
- Tim Friede has been bitten over 200 times by venomous snakes, including black mambas and cobras.
- He built immunity over decades by gradually exposing himself to snake venom.
Human Antibodies for Antivenom
- Antivenoms traditionally come from animals like horses injected with venom.
- Human antibodies could offer safer antivenoms with broad effectiveness.
Finding Tim Friede's Antibodies
- Jacob Glanville found Tim Friede to source human antibodies for antivenom research.
- Tim enthusiastically agreed to provide blood samples for the project.