Tim Friede

Hi there, Regina. Yes, venomous snakes, to be exact. They're a big problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries and in the tropics. The World Health Organization estimates that every year tens of thousands of people die as a result of venomous snake bites and that they permanently disable several hundred thousand more.

Hi there, Regina. Yes, venomous snakes, to be exact. They're a big problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries and in the tropics. The World Health Organization estimates that every year tens of thousands of people die as a result of venomous snake bites and that they permanently disable several hundred thousand more.

Hi there, Regina. Yes, venomous snakes, to be exact. They're a big problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries and in the tropics. The World Health Organization estimates that every year tens of thousands of people die as a result of venomous snake bites and that they permanently disable several hundred thousand more.

Absolutely. The specific health risks vary, and that's partly because venoms are a brew of different chemicals. There are neurotoxic venoms that can lead to paralysis, including of the airway, so people suffocate. Other venoms can affect the blood, causing it either to fail to clot or to form clots too readily. Some venoms cause intense pain, and others cause no pain at all.

Absolutely. The specific health risks vary, and that's partly because venoms are a brew of different chemicals. There are neurotoxic venoms that can lead to paralysis, including of the airway, so people suffocate. Other venoms can affect the blood, causing it either to fail to clot or to form clots too readily. Some venoms cause intense pain, and others cause no pain at all.

Absolutely. The specific health risks vary, and that's partly because venoms are a brew of different chemicals. There are neurotoxic venoms that can lead to paralysis, including of the airway, so people suffocate. Other venoms can affect the blood, causing it either to fail to clot or to form clots too readily. Some venoms cause intense pain, and others cause no pain at all.

Well, would it help if I told you that I met a couple of researchers working on a potential solution?

Well, would it help if I told you that I met a couple of researchers working on a potential solution?

Well, would it help if I told you that I met a couple of researchers working on a potential solution?

It's a cocktail that works against a diverse collection of venomous snakes using a process they hope could one day lead to a universal antivenom.

It's a cocktail that works against a diverse collection of venomous snakes using a process they hope could one day lead to a universal antivenom.

It's a cocktail that works against a diverse collection of venomous snakes using a process they hope could one day lead to a universal antivenom.

Well, good, because this is happening, and it all started with this guy, Tim Friede. My claim to fame is getting bit by snakes. For years, Regina, he's let snakes bite him.

Well, good, because this is happening, and it all started with this guy, Tim Friede. My claim to fame is getting bit by snakes. For years, Regina, he's let snakes bite him.

Well, good, because this is happening, and it all started with this guy, Tim Friede. My claim to fame is getting bit by snakes. For years, Regina, he's let snakes bite him.

Let me go back a little to 2001. Tim started with cobras because that's what he had on hand at the time.

Let me go back a little to 2001. Tim started with cobras because that's what he had on hand at the time.

Let me go back a little to 2001. Tim started with cobras because that's what he had on hand at the time.

My first couple bites are really crazy. It's like a bee sting times a thousand. You can have levels of anxiety that go through the roof.

My first couple bites are really crazy. It's like a bee sting times a thousand. You can have levels of anxiety that go through the roof.