IISc recombinant antivenom marks a major step towards safer and more effective snakebite treatment in India. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in collaboration with Technical University of Denmark, have developed a laboratory-made antivenom using recombinant nanobodies. The treatment contains five different nanobodies designed to neutralise toxins from several medically important Indian snakes. Researchers said the new approach can target medically relevant toxin families instead of requiring separate antivenoms for individual snake species. Pre-clinical studies in mice produced promising results, including effectiveness after treatment delays. The researchers noted that the technology could eventually help to improve antivenom production and access to treatment. However, the recombinant antivenom must undergo further testing, including human clinical trials, before it can be used for patients. The development could offer renewed hope for reducing deaths and severe complications caused by snakebites across India.
IISc Recombinant Antivenom: New Hope for Snakebite Treatment
