BSV partners with IISc for research on next-gen snakebite therapy

Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV) has collaborated with the ‘Evolutionary Venomics Lab,’ at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, to develop region-specific antivenoms, thereby, pioneering next-generation snakebite therapy in India, according to a statement from BSV.

Currently, treatments are based on a single polyvalent anti-venom designed for snakebites from the ‘big four’ snakes in the country. Recent research at the Evolutionary Venomics Lab has highlighted the alarming consequence of the inter- and intra-species variation in venoms on the effectiveness of antivenom, added the statement.

The polyvalent anti-venom inefficaciously neutralises the venom from distinct populations of the ‘big four’ snakes, as well as many other local clinically important snake species. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of region-specific antivenom in the country. This partnership aims at driving the anti-venom development that will deliver efficient snakebite therapy to save lives, limbs and livelihoods of those in need of the treatment, the statement concluded.