Scientists Use AI to Design Faster and Cheaper Antivenoms
Researchers in Denmark are turning to artificial intelligence to develop antivenoms for deadly snakebites. Their goal is to make treatment faster, more affordable, and easier to produce.
The research is led by Timothy Patrick Jenkins at the Technical University of Denmark. He is working alongside Nobel laureate David Baker from the University of Washington.
Together, they are using advanced AI to build custom proteins that target and neutralize deadly toxins found in snake venom.
AI-designed Proteins Can Neutralize Potent Neurotoxins
Snake venom contains a complex mix of proteins that attack the nervous system, blood, and cells. Jenkins explains that AI helps identify the most dangerous toxins and then design proteins that can block them.
These new proteins are designed to stick to the venom’s “three-finger toxins.” These toxins are known for causing paralysis and even death. When the AI-built protein binds to them, the venom can no longer harm the body.
In early lab tests on mice, the antivenom proteins showed a survival rate between 80% and 100%.
A Global Problem in Need of a New Solution
According to the World Health Organization, snakebites affect around 5 million people each year. Between 81,000 and 138,000 of these cases result in death. The majority of snakebite victims live in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Rural areas suffer the most due to a lack of access to antivenoms and poor emergency care. Farmers and children are among the most affected groups.
Jenkins says existing antivenoms are limited in supply and often expensive. This leaves many victims without timely treatment.
Could AI Antivenoms Become the Future of Snakebite Care?
The AI-driven approach is not yet ready to replace traditional antivenoms. But scientists hope it will soon become a powerful supplement. The technology may help overcome production bottlenecks and lower the cost of treatments.
“My personal hope is that within five years, we’ve completed our first clinical trials,” Jenkins said. “Then we can say there’s a product ready to be delivered to patients.”
The team’s long-term aim is to develop antivenoms that are more widely available, more effective, and easier to store and deliver — even in remote regions.
What’s Next in AI-driven Healthcare?
This is one of several examples where artificial intelligence is being used to solve urgent global health problems. From vaccine development to new diagnostics, AI is pushing biotech forward.
For snakebite victims, this could be the beginning of a safer and more accessible future.
Source: Reuters
