Sydney, Australia - July 17, 2024

In a revolutionary breakthrough, researchers from the University of Sydney and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have identified a potential game-changer in the treatment of cobra bites: heparin, a widely used blood thinner, could serve as an effective and affordable antidote for cobra venom.

Cobra bites annually claim thousands of lives worldwide and leave many more severely debilitated by tissue necrosis, often necessitating amputation. Current antivenom treatments, largely ineffective against necrosis, are costly and inaccessible in many regions.

Professor Greg Neely, co-author from the University of Sydney, expressed optimism: "Our discovery could significantly mitigate the devastating effects of cobra bites, potentially saving lives and limbs. Repurposing heparin to combat cobra venom could mark a paradigm shift in snakebite treatment."

Using advanced CRISPR gene-editing technology, the international team pinpointed key human genes targeted by cobra venom to induce necrosis. By leveraging this understanding, they repurposed heparin and related drugs to effectively neutralize venom-induced tissue damage in human cells and animal models.

Lead author Tian Du highlighted the potential impact: "Heparin is affordable, widely available, and listed as an Essential Medicine by the World Health Organization. Pending successful human trials, it could swiftly become a vital tool in the global fight against snakebite."

Unlike traditional antivenoms, which date back to the 19th century, heparinoid drugs act as decoys, binding to venom toxins and preventing them from causing further harm. This approach offers a promising alternative for severe local envenoming, characterized by painful swelling, blistering, and tissue necrosis.

Professor Nicholas Casewell, joint corresponding author from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, underscored the significance: "Snakebites, particularly from cobras, pose a severe threat in rural communities of low- and middle-income countries. Our findings offer hope for more effective treatment options where existing therapies fall short."

With snakebites claiming up to 138,000 lives annually and affecting hundreds of thousands more, the World Health Organization has prioritized snakebite interventions in its global health agenda, aiming to halve the burden by 2030.

Professor Neely emphasized the urgency of their research: "As we approach this ambitious target, we believe our findings could play a crucial role in reducing the devastating impact of snakebites, particularly in underserved communities."