Oligoclonal nanobody-based recombinant antivenom protects mice challenged with venom from cobras and king cobras from India.
A five-nanobody recombinant antivenom effectively neutralizes venom from multiple Indian cobra and king cobra species, preventing death in mice models.
- Why it matters: Snakebite envenoming causes over 100,000 deaths annually, mainly in India, with current antivenoms often ineffective across diverse regional venoms and associated safety issues.
- What they did: Scientists designed a recombinant antivenom comprising five nanobodies targeting key toxins in cobra and king cobra venoms, validated through functional tests against African elapid toxins.
- The result: The nanobody cocktail prevented mortality in mice exposed to various Indian cobra venoms, demonstrating potential for a broad-spectrum, safe, and regionally adaptable snakebite therapy.