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The venom of cobras, venomous lizards, and sea snails can be deadly, but when refined into medicine, these venoms can be used to treat diseases. Many major pharmaceutical companies are researching how to use components derived from venom to develop treatments for HIV, sclerosis, and diabetes.
According to Business2.0, NutraPharma, a pharmaceutical company in Florida, USA, extracts venom from cobras, removes the highly toxic components, and uses the remaining complex proteins to create medications for HIV and sclerosis. This medication is currently in the clinical trial phase. If approved for production and market release, one kilogram of venom could produce a million doses of the drug, making the cost very low.
Additionally, Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals have already produced and marketed a drug made from components extracted from the saliva of the Gila monster, a venomous lizard commonly found in New Mexico and Arizona. This drug, which helps control blood sugar, has been approved by U.S. drug regulatory authorities and has sold nearly a million doses shortly after its release.
People bitten by the African viper can die from uncontrollable bleeding due to the venom preventing blood clotting. Merck has developed a drug derived from viper venom that can dissolve blood clots, which has become a common medication for heart disease.
The venom of deep-sea cone snails, which they use to paralyze prey, is also being studied by an Irish pharmaceutical company to develop painkillers.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ 060625/ 43/ 3a8hk. html
Global Pharma Giants Develop Drugs from Venomous Snake and Insect Toxins
According to Business2.0, NutraPharma, a pharmaceutical company in Florida, USA, extracts venom from cobras, removes the highly toxic components, and uses the remaining complex proteins to create medications for HIV and sclerosis. This medication is currently in the clinical trial phase. If approved for production and market release, one kilogram of venom could produce a million doses of the drug, making the cost very low.
Additionally, Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals have already produced and marketed a drug made from components extracted from the saliva of the Gila monster, a venomous lizard commonly found in New Mexico and Arizona. This drug, which helps control blood sugar, has been approved by U.S. drug regulatory authorities and has sold nearly a million doses shortly after its release.
People bitten by the African viper can die from uncontrollable bleeding due to the venom preventing blood clotting. Merck has developed a drug derived from viper venom that can dissolve blood clots, which has become a common medication for heart disease.
The venom of deep-sea cone snails, which they use to paralyze prey, is also being studied by an Irish pharmaceutical company to develop painkillers.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ 060625/ 43/ 3a8hk. html