University of Maryland researchers unveil snake-derived antivenom breakthrough

University of Maryland scientists, led by Distinguished Professor Sean B. Carroll, have identified a novel method for creating antivenoms by using blood proteins that snakes naturally use to protect themselves. The team demonstrated that specific protein combinations from western diamondback rattlesnakes, particularly the protein FETUA‑3, can neutralize the venoms of multiple dangerous snake species.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on July 29, 2026, the research proposes an alternative to current antivenoms, which rely on antibodies harvested from large animals and are costly, variable in efficacy, and can trigger severe immune reactions. With the World Health Organization estimating 80,000–140,000 snakebite deaths each year and many victims lacking access to effective treatment, the discovery could pave the way for more potent, affordable antivenoms, especially for rural populations in regions where snakebites are a neglected tropical disease.