How One Wisconsin Man’s Shocking Dare Sparked a Breakthrough in Universal Antivenom Research
According to a new study published in the journal Cell, that antivenom was able to partially or fully neutralize the venom of 19 of the world’s deadliest snakes, including the black mamba, king cobra, and taipan. While researchers said human tests are likely two years away, the results are nevertheless staggering.
Tim Friede’s Quest To Create A Universal Antivenom
Jacob GlanvilleTim Friede (center) with researchers at Centivax.
Most people would be right in assuming that Tim Friede’s obsession is dangerous. But for Friede, the end goal is worth the risk.
As he explained to the BBC, he first started this journey because he wanted to build up his immunity for protection while handling snakes. But Friede, a former truck mechanic, said he “completely screwed up” early on when he fell into a coma thanks to two cobra bites in quick succession.
“I didn’t want to die,” Friede said. “I didn’t want to lose a finger. I didn’t want to miss work.”
After that, he said, “it just became a lifestyle and I just kept pushing and pushing and pushing as hard as I could push — for the people who are 8,000 miles away from me who die from snakebites.”
Friede grew up in Milwaukee and spent a lot of time as a kid “herping,” or searching for snakes. As he told The Washington Post, a bite from a harmless garter snake when he was five years old ignited a lifelong curiosity with snakes and their venom.
Over the course of the last two decades, Friede has documented his exploits via his YouTube channel. He imported venomous snakes from around the world and began milking them — along with scorpions — for their venom. He then heavily diluted that venom and injected himself with it, gradually increasing the dosage to bolster his immunity.
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