Snakebites affect 1.8 to 2.7 million people annually, causing around 100,000 deaths and three times as many permanent disabilities, according to the World Health Organization. Victims are predominantly in regions with fragile healthcare systems, such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Traditional antivenoms derived from animal plasma come with significant drawbacks: high costs, limited efficacy, and serious side effects.
The diversity of snake venoms further complicates treatment, as current antivenoms often target specific species. However, advances in toxin research and computational tools are now driving a new era in snakebite therapy.
Baker’s team, in collaboration with Timothy Patrick Jenkins from Denmark’s Technical University (DTU), harnessed AI to design proteins that bind to and neutralize three-finger toxins—among the deadliest components of cobra venom. These toxins are notorious for evading the immune system, rendering conventional treatments ineffective.
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