Ep. 77: Ophirex: Biting Back

Sounds of Science

Imagine you’re exploring the great outdoors when, out of nowhere, you feel the fangs of a snake – a poisonous snake – breaking through your skin. Medical care is nowhere in sight, so you’re left with the terrifying prospect of venom slowly infecting your body’s critical functions.

This is the reality that roughly five million people face annually. Over 500,000 of which either die or are permanently maimed or suffer long-term cardiovascular/neurological impairments.

However, Drs. Rebecca Carter and Matt Lewin are working to change that. Their work at Ophirex revolves around further developing Varespladib, a repurposed drug, as an accessible and affordable oral treatment to instantly combat venomous snakebites. By ingesting a small tablet or capsule, victims can buy time to seek out more advanced care, giving them a better chance to limit complications and prevent death.

Join us as we explore the impacts snake venom has on the body, how Drs. Carter and Lewin discovered Varespladib, how collaborations and partnerships have benefited their development of this treatment, and what can be done to improve its accessibility, especially in remote areas of the world.

Show Notes

Ophirex Lifesaving Antidotes

Antivenoms -_World Health Organization

Interventions for the Preventing Reactions to Snake Venoms - National Institute of Health