Researchers have identified a drug, unithiol, that can neutralize snake bite venom when taken orally. The drug’s Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrated that it is safe, well-tolerated, and simple to use in treating envenoming from various venomous snakes.
Snake envenoming occurs when a venomous snake injects venom into a person or animal, leading to severe and potentially life-threatening conditions. This remains a significant public health issue, particularly in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Each year, approximately 5 million snake bites occur globally, resulting in around 1.8 million cases of envenoming and 90,000 deaths.
In Kenya, an estimated 20,000 people are bitten by snakes annually, with about 4,000 fatalities. An additional 7,000 individuals experience complications such as paralysis or other health issues due to envenoming. Snake venom can cause coagulopathy, neuromuscular paralysis, acute kidney injury, and local tissue necrosis, making it a serious medical emergency.
Currently, antivenom treatments are expensive, can cause severe side effects, and must be administered intravenously in a hospital. These factors make immediate life-saving intervention difficult, especially in remote areas where access to medical facilities is limited. In contrast, unithiol offers a safer and more accessible alternative that can be taken as a pill.
Originally approved for treating heavy metal poisoning, unithiol was identified for snakebite treatment due to its ability to neutralize snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs). The Phase 1 trial evaluated different doses in oral and intravenous forms and found that the drug was well-tolerated, with no serious side effects even at the highest doses.
Once administered, unithiol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, reaching levels that can effectively counteract snake venom toxins. Previous preclinical research demonstrated that the drug could prevent the most severe effects of envenoming and potentially save lives.
Following the successful completion of the Phase 1 trial, researchers have secured funding to advance unithiol to Phase 2 clinical trials. This next phase will focus on measuring the drug’s efficacy in real-world scenarios. If the trials prove successful, unithiol could be widely deployed in rural clinics and first-aid settings. This would provide snakebite victims with immediate treatment, reducing the severity of envenoming and giving them more time to reach a hospital for further medical care.
With its potential to transform snakebite treatment, unithiol represents a significant breakthrough in the field of envenoming therapy. Its accessibility and ease of administration could vastly improve patient outcomes and save countless lives, particularly in regions where snakebites remain a major public health challenge.
