Tim Friede, a self-taught snake enthusiast from Wisconsin, has turned his life-threatening encounters with some of the world’s deadliest snakes into groundbreaking scientific potential. Over nearly two decades, Friede intentionally subjected himself to over 200 snake bites and injected venom more than 650 times, seeking to develop immunity—a practice called mithridatism.
Though controversial and incredibly dangerous, his efforts have now paved the way for researchers to explore a universal antivenom, a solution that could save thousands of lives annually.
From Snakebite Survivor to Scientific Breakthrough
Friede’s journey began tragically. Following the September 11 attacks, he let two venomous snakes bite him in his basement, resulting in a coma. Despite the trauma, this experience ignited his resolve to build immunity to snake venom.
“After surviving, I believed I could help create a better antivenom,” Friede said. His unconventional methods initially faced skepticism from the scientific community, but recent developments have validated his efforts.
The Science Behind the Discovery
In 2025, a study published in Cell revealed that antibodies from Friede’s blood offered protection against venom from 13 of 19 snake species tested. This research, led by immunologist Jacob Glanville, combined Friede’s antibodies with the drug varespladib.
“This could revolutionize how we treat snakebites,” Glanville explained, highlighting the possibility of creating a universal antivenom administered via an EpiPen-like device.
The innovation is crucial as current antivenoms typically target specific snake species and often cause severe side effects due to the use of animal-derived antibodies.
The Global Snakebite Crisis
Snakebites kill up to 138,000 people annually and leave 400,000 with lifelong disabilities, primarily in impoverished regions. Developing an affordable, universally effective antivenom could transform global healthcare.
Timothy Jackson of the Australian Venom Research Unit lauded the study’s immunological strides while suggesting synthetic antibodies as an alternative to Friede’s risky methods.
A Personal Victory
Friede, who now works with Centivax, has ceased self-experimentation to avoid liability risks but remains proud of his contribution.
“This is a small step toward changing medical history,” he said. Friede hopes to one day continue his snake-handling adventures, expressing nostalgia for the work that defined his unique legacy.
