SNAKE PHARM

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Revolutionizing Snake Antivenom

Every year more than 5 million people are bitten by venomus snakes and over 150000 of them die .

For most of the world, Anti-venom is expensive and ineffective.

If a victim manages to survive the side effects often leave them disabled or disfigured.

About Us

Snake Pharm Holdings (PTY) LTD, founded by Donald Schultz, is a pioneering, privately owned biotech company dedicated to addressing the global shortage of snake antivenom. With venomous snake bites causing significant fatalities each year, we have made it our mission to lead the fight against this overlooked crisis by advancing research and development in antivenom production.

Our focus extends to studying naturally occurring resistances to venom, exploring new pathways to more effective and accessible treatments. With ongoing research efforts in South Africa and a completed project in Southern California—where we successfully conducted safety and field trials and secured a USA patent—we are at the forefront of antivenom innovation.

We welcome global collaboration, offering opportunities for scientists, research work exchanges, and volunteers to contribute at our state-of-the-art research facility in Northern Zululand, South Africa. Together, we strive to save lives and reduce the devastating impact of snake bites worldwide.

Vision

To be the world leader in antivenom research and production, ensuring that every person at risk from venomous snake bites has access to life-saving treatments, no matter where they are.

Mission

Snake Pharm is committed to overcoming the shortage of snake antivenom by conducting cutting-edge research, fostering global collaboration, and developing innovative, effective, and accessible antivenom solutions. Our mission is to reduce the global death toll from snake bites and bring hope to affected communities through science and compassion.

RESEARCH

INNOVATIVE ANTI-VENOM SOLUTION

Finding a shortcut using nature

Our research areas of interest include naturally occurring resistances to venoms. Current research is underway in South Africa. Our project in Southern California concluded after we completed safety and field trials and was awarded our USA patent (LINK). We are open to collaboration from scientists around the world, work exchange, and volunteers at our research lab in Northern Zululand, South Africa.

Venom is a complex concoction

VENOM

Venom is a complex concoction, a blend of compounds “toxic and lethal… to immobilize” with some “enzymes to digest,” rounded out with other ingredients “responsible for important but non-lethal biological effects”. Collectively, these molecular components make up a vicious cocktail; pieces of a nasty and potentially lethal puzzle. By harnessing their individual strengths, each piece can be used in decidedly less deadly and more medically significant ways.

Antivenom is the only specific treatment for snakebites

ANTIVENOM

Antivenom is the only available treatment for envenomation via snakebite. It operates on the “lock-and-key” principle of protein, which have a specific three-dimensional shape. They can only be activated or acted upon by an equally specific substrate, which must fit the protein exactly. Anti-venom is filled with anti-bodies that are a perfect fit for venom proteins, binding to them and preventing them from doing harm. If administered soon after the bite occurs, majority of envenomed victims recover.

Scope of the Problem

Snake Bite Crisis

Of these, venomous (envenoming) snakes cause considerable morbidity and mortality. There are an estimated 2.4 million envenomations (poisonings from snake bites) and 94,000 – 125,000 deaths annually, with an additional 400,000 amputations and other severe health consequences, such as infection, tetanus, scarring, contractures, and psychological sequelae. Poor access to health care and scarcity of antivenom increases the severity of the injuries and their outcomes.