Scientists at the University of Sydney and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have found that the blood thinner heparin could be a cheaper antidote for cobra venom. Current antivenoms are expensive and don’t prevent the severe tissue damage caused by cobra bites. Using CRISPR technology, researchers discovered that cobra venom targets specific enzymes that produce heparan and heparin, leading to tissue damage.
They developed a heparinoid drug that can stop this damage, reducing the risk of serious injuries like amputations. This breakthrough could help achieve the World Health Organization’s goal of reducing snakebite deaths and injuries by 2030, especially in poorer regions where snakebites are common. This new antidote offers a more affordable and accessible treatment option for those affected.
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