Novel immuno-proteomic strategies to develop a polyspecific, non-cold chain liquid snake antivenom with unparalleled sub-Saharan African efficacy
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Department Name: Tropical Disease Biology
Abstract
Snakebite victims in Sub-Saharan Africa are therapeutically neglected (~32,000 deaths; 96,000 disabled yearly) because of the weak efficacy of current polyspecific antivenoms. In areas like Britain with a single venomous snake species, monospecific antivenom (antibodies (abys) purified from the blood of horses/sheep immunised with a single snake venom) are typically highly effective and safe. However, there are several venomous snake groups in sub-Saharan Africa, and polyspecific antivenoms, manufactured with venoms from several snakes, are therefore clinically preferred.
However, using many venoms for immunisation negatively impacts upon the efficacy of polyspecific antivenoms. Thus, the greater the genetic difference between the snakes whose venoms are used in antivenom manufacture, the more numerous and diverse the venom proteins (100+ proteins/venom), and the greater the number of distinct abys generated in the venom-immunised animals. This means that the proportion of total abys targeting the venom of any one snake is small - and consequently more vials of polyspecific antivenom are needed to achieve clinical cure. This significantly increases antivenom-induced adverse effects and often makes treatment unaffordable to the impoverished communities at greatest risk. There is therefore an urgent, compelling need for research to resolve this therapy deficit.
We will use an innovative strategy that greatly expands antivenom snake-species efficacy. Thus, we first add a 'base' antivenom, derived from an existing product that is safe and affordable but exhibits inadequate polyspecific efficacy, onto a laboratory matrix (a chromatography column). We next individually add venoms from all regional medically-important snakes to the column, and all proteins that are not bound by the antivenom are collected and their identity determined. Those found to be pathogenic (many venom proteins are not toxic) are isolated in sufficient amounts for immunisation and mixed with the venoms used to prepare the base antivenom. A new group of sheep is then immunised with the 'venom+supplement toxins' mixture to rationally generate antivenom with greatly expanded snake-species efficacy.
We will use this approach to first generate new antivenoms to treat either the (i) tissue destruction & bleeding, or the (ii) paralysis pathology syndromes: thereby covering the effects of envenoming by all medically-important sub-Saharan African snakes. We will use a suite of in vitro & in vivo tests to confirm that the two new antivenoms bind the venom proteins causing these pathologies and neutralise their lethal and tissue-destructive effects in mice, and compare these results with that of the base and existing polyspecific antivenoms. With this information as a guide, we will next develop a single pan-African antivenom using the first syndromic antivenom as the base to isolate non-binding proteins from all the African snake venoms for 'venom+supplement' immunisation of a new group of sheep. We will also test the efficacy of an alternate pan-African antivenom created by mixing abys of the two syndromic antivenoms in different ratios, and efficacy-testing the ratio that exhibits maximal binding of proteins from the African snake venoms.
We will also develop/test protocols enabling non-cold chain storage of liquid antivenom - greatly expanding the distribution potential of these improved antivenoms. We will also develop/test protocols to increase the amount and binding strength of antivenom abys to highly toxic venom proteins that are poor at stimulating potent aby responses.
Here, in the only research of its kind, we will deliver new non-cold chain antivenom with pan-African efficacy, and with an unparalleled dose-efficacy ensuring the product poses little adverse-effect risk and is affordable. These antivenoms will represent the most cost-effective investment in snakebite management ever available to governments in sub-Saharan Africa, and elsewhere.
However, using many venoms for immunisation negatively impacts upon the efficacy of polyspecific antivenoms. Thus, the greater the genetic difference between the snakes whose venoms are used in antivenom manufacture, the more numerous and diverse the venom proteins (100+ proteins/venom), and the greater the number of distinct abys generated in the venom-immunised animals. This means that the proportion of total abys targeting the venom of any one snake is small - and consequently more vials of polyspecific antivenom are needed to achieve clinical cure. This significantly increases antivenom-induced adverse effects and often makes treatment unaffordable to the impoverished communities at greatest risk. There is therefore an urgent, compelling need for research to resolve this therapy deficit.
We will use an innovative strategy that greatly expands antivenom snake-species efficacy. Thus, we first add a 'base' antivenom, derived from an existing product that is safe and affordable but exhibits inadequate polyspecific efficacy, onto a laboratory matrix (a chromatography column). We next individually add venoms from all regional medically-important snakes to the column, and all proteins that are not bound by the antivenom are collected and their identity determined. Those found to be pathogenic (many venom proteins are not toxic) are isolated in sufficient amounts for immunisation and mixed with the venoms used to prepare the base antivenom. A new group of sheep is then immunised with the 'venom+supplement toxins' mixture to rationally generate antivenom with greatly expanded snake-species efficacy.
We will use this approach to first generate new antivenoms to treat either the (i) tissue destruction & bleeding, or the (ii) paralysis pathology syndromes: thereby covering the effects of envenoming by all medically-important sub-Saharan African snakes. We will use a suite of in vitro & in vivo tests to confirm that the two new antivenoms bind the venom proteins causing these pathologies and neutralise their lethal and tissue-destructive effects in mice, and compare these results with that of the base and existing polyspecific antivenoms. With this information as a guide, we will next develop a single pan-African antivenom using the first syndromic antivenom as the base to isolate non-binding proteins from all the African snake venoms for 'venom+supplement' immunisation of a new group of sheep. We will also test the efficacy of an alternate pan-African antivenom created by mixing abys of the two syndromic antivenoms in different ratios, and efficacy-testing the ratio that exhibits maximal binding of proteins from the African snake venoms.
We will also develop/test protocols enabling non-cold chain storage of liquid antivenom - greatly expanding the distribution potential of these improved antivenoms. We will also develop/test protocols to increase the amount and binding strength of antivenom abys to highly toxic venom proteins that are poor at stimulating potent aby responses.
Here, in the only research of its kind, we will deliver new non-cold chain antivenom with pan-African efficacy, and with an unparalleled dose-efficacy ensuring the product poses little adverse-effect risk and is affordable. These antivenoms will represent the most cost-effective investment in snakebite management ever available to governments in sub-Saharan Africa, and elsewhere.
Technical Summary
To address the sub-Saharan African snakebite therapy deficit, we have devised an innovative 'antivenomic' strategy that maximally exploits the inter- & intra-generic immune cross-reactivity of venom proteins to greatly expand the snake-species efficacy of polyspecific antivenom.
We first immobilise a 'base' antivenom, derived from an existing antivenom that is safe & affordable but exhibits inadequate polyspecific efficacy, onto an IgG-affinity column, and venoms from target snakes added. All non-binding proteins are collected and proteomically identified. Those found to be toxic (BLAST search of gene/protein databases) are isolated in sufficient amounts for immunisation (preparative scale chromatography) and mixed with the venoms used to prepare the base antivenom. A new group of sheep is then immunised with the 'venom+supplement immunogen' mixture to rationally, and with minimal additional immunogens, generate antivenom with greatly expanded snake-species efficacy.
We will use this approach to generate antivenoms to treat the (i) dermal necrosis & haemotoxic or the (ii) neurotoxic pathology syndromes: thereby covering the effects of envenoming by all medically-important sub-Saharan African snakes. Thus informed, we will next develop a single pan-African antivenom using the first syndromic antivenom as the base to isolate supplement immunogens from all the African snake venoms for 'venom+supplement' immunisation. We will also develop an alternate pan-African antivenom created by mixing IgGs of both syndromic antivenoms in different ratios, and test the ratio exhibiting maximal polyspecific venom protein binding. Serological and murine venom-neutralising efficacy results of the new antivenoms will be assessed against that of the base and existing polyspecific antivenoms.
We will also develop protocols enabling non-cold chain storage of liquid antivenom, and to increase antivenom IgG titre & avidity to highly toxic venom but weakly immunogenic proteins.
We first immobilise a 'base' antivenom, derived from an existing antivenom that is safe & affordable but exhibits inadequate polyspecific efficacy, onto an IgG-affinity column, and venoms from target snakes added. All non-binding proteins are collected and proteomically identified. Those found to be toxic (BLAST search of gene/protein databases) are isolated in sufficient amounts for immunisation (preparative scale chromatography) and mixed with the venoms used to prepare the base antivenom. A new group of sheep is then immunised with the 'venom+supplement immunogen' mixture to rationally, and with minimal additional immunogens, generate antivenom with greatly expanded snake-species efficacy.
We will use this approach to generate antivenoms to treat the (i) dermal necrosis & haemotoxic or the (ii) neurotoxic pathology syndromes: thereby covering the effects of envenoming by all medically-important sub-Saharan African snakes. Thus informed, we will next develop a single pan-African antivenom using the first syndromic antivenom as the base to isolate supplement immunogens from all the African snake venoms for 'venom+supplement' immunisation. We will also develop an alternate pan-African antivenom created by mixing IgGs of both syndromic antivenoms in different ratios, and test the ratio exhibiting maximal polyspecific venom protein binding. Serological and murine venom-neutralising efficacy results of the new antivenoms will be assessed against that of the base and existing polyspecific antivenoms.
We will also develop protocols enabling non-cold chain storage of liquid antivenom, and to increase antivenom IgG titre & avidity to highly toxic venom but weakly immunogenic proteins.
Planned Impact
OUTPUTS RELEVANT TO BENEFICIARIES
- Distinct strategies to design polyspecific antivenom with extensive snake-species efficacy.
- The novel toxoiding process to improve immunogenicity of venom toxins.
- Additives to impart thermostability to liquid biological therapeutics (antisera; vaccines, proteins).
- Snake venom Transcriptomic and Proteomic datasets.
POTENTIAL BENEFICIARIES & HOW THEY WILL BENEFIT
SNAKEBITE VICTIMS: We designed this pre-clinical project to ultimately save the lives and livelihoods of the medically-neglected snakebite victims of sub-Saharan Africa.
COMMERCIAL SECTOR: We will deliver the design of non-cold antivenoms with pan-African efficacy and unparalleled dose efficacy and safety - significant, previously missing, incentives to commercial manufacturers. As the antivenoms are delivered during the project, we will pursue translation grants with antivenom manufacturers with a proven record of delivering quality antivenoms to Africa: eg, MicroPharm, Wales; Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Costa Rica.
The above antivenom manufacturers will gain financially through collaborative translation grants and government contracts and through capacity strengthening. Manufacturers of antivenoms for other regions could also benefit from these incentives. Albeit less certainly, manufacturers of other biological therapeutics may benefit from the thermostability and 'toxoiding' systems developed by this project.
The venom transcriptomic/proteomic data provide an exciting cardiovascular & neurological drug-discovery resource for Biotech/Pharmaceutical industries. We have budgeted for a meeting of relevant individuals from industry and academia to devise a new drug-/reagent-discovery research program.
GOVERNMENT POLICY MAKERS: Efficacious and safe antivenoms retailed at affordable prices (relative to existing polyspecific antivenoms) will represent the most cost-effective investment in snakebite management ever available to governments in sub-Saharan Africa - enabling the dislocation of the vicious cycle that has limited the commitment of manufacturers and public health authorities to increase the availability of antivenoms to this region. The health benefits are likely to translate to political advances, both nationally and internationally.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AGENCIES: The current lack of government demand/action and therapeutic tools has limited WHO's ability to motivate other agencies in resolving Africa's snakebite burden. The tools provided here, coupled with renewed manufacturing and government interest is likely to attract the fiscal and health-promoting support of agencies such as DFID, USAID, EU and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - providing them with additional evidence of cost-effective success of using public and philanthropic funds to instigate substantial health benefits in communities whose snakebite victims have been so sorely neglected for so long.
PROJECT STAFF AND STUDENTS: The project involves many different scientific disciplines and activities that will enable staff and students from our 3 institutes to improve their technical skills portfolio and subsequent marketability. The project's collaborative nature provides many opportunities for information exchange, science discussion, cultural and scientific environments - all empowerments for young scientists.
PUBLIC SECTOR: The project's potential to have such a positive impact upon the lives of deeply disadvantaged African populations will have wide appeal to the lay public and media - by demonstrating how UK research funds benefit human health. We will incorporate our progress within our public engagement activities. Furthermore, the collaborative success of three groups from countries from different cultural, economic and geographical backgrounds will strengthen the principle that north-north and north-south international partnerships have great potential for confronting pressing global health issues.
- Distinct strategies to design polyspecific antivenom with extensive snake-species efficacy.
- The novel toxoiding process to improve immunogenicity of venom toxins.
- Additives to impart thermostability to liquid biological therapeutics (antisera; vaccines, proteins).
- Snake venom Transcriptomic and Proteomic datasets.
POTENTIAL BENEFICIARIES & HOW THEY WILL BENEFIT
SNAKEBITE VICTIMS: We designed this pre-clinical project to ultimately save the lives and livelihoods of the medically-neglected snakebite victims of sub-Saharan Africa.
COMMERCIAL SECTOR: We will deliver the design of non-cold antivenoms with pan-African efficacy and unparalleled dose efficacy and safety - significant, previously missing, incentives to commercial manufacturers. As the antivenoms are delivered during the project, we will pursue translation grants with antivenom manufacturers with a proven record of delivering quality antivenoms to Africa: eg, MicroPharm, Wales; Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Costa Rica.
The above antivenom manufacturers will gain financially through collaborative translation grants and government contracts and through capacity strengthening. Manufacturers of antivenoms for other regions could also benefit from these incentives. Albeit less certainly, manufacturers of other biological therapeutics may benefit from the thermostability and 'toxoiding' systems developed by this project.
The venom transcriptomic/proteomic data provide an exciting cardiovascular & neurological drug-discovery resource for Biotech/Pharmaceutical industries. We have budgeted for a meeting of relevant individuals from industry and academia to devise a new drug-/reagent-discovery research program.
GOVERNMENT POLICY MAKERS: Efficacious and safe antivenoms retailed at affordable prices (relative to existing polyspecific antivenoms) will represent the most cost-effective investment in snakebite management ever available to governments in sub-Saharan Africa - enabling the dislocation of the vicious cycle that has limited the commitment of manufacturers and public health authorities to increase the availability of antivenoms to this region. The health benefits are likely to translate to political advances, both nationally and internationally.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AGENCIES: The current lack of government demand/action and therapeutic tools has limited WHO's ability to motivate other agencies in resolving Africa's snakebite burden. The tools provided here, coupled with renewed manufacturing and government interest is likely to attract the fiscal and health-promoting support of agencies such as DFID, USAID, EU and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - providing them with additional evidence of cost-effective success of using public and philanthropic funds to instigate substantial health benefits in communities whose snakebite victims have been so sorely neglected for so long.
PROJECT STAFF AND STUDENTS: The project involves many different scientific disciplines and activities that will enable staff and students from our 3 institutes to improve their technical skills portfolio and subsequent marketability. The project's collaborative nature provides many opportunities for information exchange, science discussion, cultural and scientific environments - all empowerments for young scientists.
PUBLIC SECTOR: The project's potential to have such a positive impact upon the lives of deeply disadvantaged African populations will have wide appeal to the lay public and media - by demonstrating how UK research funds benefit human health. We will incorporate our progress within our public engagement activities. Furthermore, the collaborative success of three groups from countries from different cultural, economic and geographical backgrounds will strengthen the principle that north-north and north-south international partnerships have great potential for confronting pressing global health issues.
Organisations
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (Lead Research Organisation)
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) (Collaboration)
- World Health Organization (WHO) (Collaboration)
- PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND (Collaboration)
- Institute of Primate Research (Collaboration)
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (Collaboration)
- University of Costa Rica (Collaboration)
- BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO (Collaboration)
- University of Massachusetts (Collaboration)
Publications
Ainsworth S
(2018)
The paraspecific neutralisation of snake venom induced coagulopathy by antivenoms.
in Communications biology
Ainsworth S
(2018)
The medical threat of mamba envenoming in sub-Saharan Africa revealed by genus-wide analysis of venom composition, toxicity and antivenomics profiling of available antivenoms.
in Journal of proteomics
Albulescu LO
(2019)
A Decoy-Receptor Approach Using Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Mimics Reveals Their Potential as Novel Therapeutics Against Neurotoxic Snakebite.
in Frontiers in pharmacology
Bashford T
(2019)
Nuancing the need for speed: temporal health system strengthening in low-income countries.
in BMJ global health
Calvete JJ
(2018)
Toxin-resolved antivenomics-guided assessment of the immunorecognition landscape of antivenoms.
in Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
Chaisakul J
(2019)
Evaluation of the geographical utility of Eastern Russell's viper (Daboia siamensis) antivenom from Thailand and an assessment of its protective effects against venom-induced nephrotoxicity.
in PLoS neglected tropical diseases
Girish KS
(2019)
Research into the Causes of Venom-Induced Mortality and Morbidity Identifies New Therapeutic Opportunities.
in The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
GutiƩrrez J
(2014)
A multicomponent strategy to improve the availability of antivenom for treating snakebite envenoming
in Bulletin of the World Health Organization
GutiƩrrez JM
(2015)
A Call for Incorporating Social Research in the Global Struggle against Snakebite.
in PLoS neglected tropical diseases
Description | Hinxton Retreat entitled 'Mechanisms to Reverse the Public Health Neglect of Snakebite Victims' |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | I designed, organised, and chaired this workshop that, for the first time, brought key clinicians, scientists, civil society groups (AMREF Africa Health Health Action International), international health agency (WHO), health research-funders (Wellcome Trust), press (Lancet), media (film documentary) - to identify Mechanisms to Reverse the Public Health Neglect of Snakebite Victims. The pblished outcome of this meeting and unpublished outcomes have proved potent material for advocacy for change in the recognition of the burden of tropical snakebite in national and international health-funding agencies. |
Description | Kofi Annan Foundation Workshop entitled 'Snakebites in Africa: Challenges and Solutions' |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | I was asked to help design, organise and chair this workshop that brought key stakeholders in tropical snakebite and delegates new to snakebite. This meeting had a significant impact on WHO's position on snakebite. |
Description | Presidential Committee for North East Nigeria Initiative |
Geographic Reach | Africa |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | WHO Guidelines for the Production Control and Regulation of snake antivenom immunoglobulins |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | The results of the NC3R project has led to inclusion of several 3R recommendations that have been incorporated into the updated (2017) WHO Guidelines for the Production Control and Regulation of snake antivenom immunoglobulins. |
Description | WHO working group to design the Road Map to halve the snakebite mortality and morbidity by 2030 |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | GHR |
Amount | Ā£2,498,575 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 16/137/114 |
Organisation | National Institute of Health |
Sector | Public |
Country | Italy |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 06/2021 |
Description | GHR Financial Assurance Fund |
Amount | Ā£50,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | GHR Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | Product Development Partnership |
Amount | Ā£9,800,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of the UK |
Department | Department for International Development (DfID) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Sir Halley Stewart Trust |
Amount | Ā£55,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 146 |
Organisation | Sir Halley Stewart Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2016 |
End | 03/2018 |
Title | Snakebite Emergency Response System-APP (SERS-APP) |
Description | A smartphone APP designed to coordinate and record the deployment of each SERS motorcycle ambulance. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Cost effectiveness analyses underway. |
Title | VTBuilder |
Description | VTBuilder: a tool for the assembly of multi isoform transcriptomes. BMC Bioinformatics 15, 389. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Use of this bioinformatic tool by other groups |
Title | Collection of snakes and snake venoms |
Description | Collection of snakes and snake venoms |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This is the critical resource enabling progress in downstream research objectives |
Title | Updated list of venom gland transcriptomes |
Description | Updated list of venom gland transcriptomes acquired for the project |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Updated list of venom gland transcriptomes acquired for the project enabling progression on (i) proteomic profiling and (ii) antivneomic analyses objectives of the grant |
Title | VT builder |
Description | Software to compile, annotate NGS sequence data into a venom gland transcriptome |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This program has been requested by several individuals |
Title | Venom pathology profiling |
Description | The most comprehensive collection of snake venom-induced pathology for sub-Saharan Africa |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This is the most comprehensive collection of snake venom-induced pathology for sub-Saharan Africa |
Title | Venom transcriptomes |
Description | Compilation of venom gland transcriptomes for each species of medically important snake in subSaharan Africa |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Still under contruction |
Title | venom proteomics |
Description | Compilation of venom proteomes for each species of medically0important snake in Sub-Saharan Africa |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Still under contruction |
Description | African Snakebite Research Group |
Organisation | Bayero University Kano |
Country | Nigeria |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | With £2m NIHR funding we have established this 'first in Africa' consortium dedicated to undertaking research to:(i) improve the treatment of snakebite victims, (ii) improve access of victims to effective healthcare, (iii) establish independent preclinical antivenom-efficacy testing units and (iv) understand the cost of illness of snakebite to victims, communities and the local health infrastructure. |
Collaborator Contribution | Bayero University Kano and Institute of Primate Research are providing access to African snake, venom, venom proteomes and toxinomes; access to observational clinical research on samples from snakebite victims; access to individuals, communities and hospitals affected by snakebite to undertake socioeconomic analyses; implementation of a new Snakebite Emergency Response System (cost-effectiveness analysis). |
Impact | Multidisciplinary: Venom standards for East Africa; preclinical testing facilities established |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | African Snakebite Research Group |
Organisation | Institute of Primate Research |
Country | Kenya |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | With £2m NIHR funding we have established this 'first in Africa' consortium dedicated to undertaking research to:(i) improve the treatment of snakebite victims, (ii) improve access of victims to effective healthcare, (iii) establish independent preclinical antivenom-efficacy testing units and (iv) understand the cost of illness of snakebite to victims, communities and the local health infrastructure. |
Collaborator Contribution | Bayero University Kano and Institute of Primate Research are providing access to African snake, venom, venom proteomes and toxinomes; access to observational clinical research on samples from snakebite victims; access to individuals, communities and hospitals affected by snakebite to undertake socioeconomic analyses; implementation of a new Snakebite Emergency Response System (cost-effectiveness analysis). |
Impact | Multidisciplinary: Venom standards for East Africa; preclinical testing facilities established |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Antivenomics |
Organisation | Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Collaboration on an MRC grant |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of proteomic skills and experimental outputs |
Impact | Compiling database of protein profiles in venoms of each snake of medical importance in sub-Saharan Africa |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Antivenomics |
Organisation | University of Costa Rica |
Country | Costa Rica |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provision of venoms from each medically important species od sub-Saharan Africa |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of data on the toxicity of venoms from each medically important species of sub-Saharan Africa |
Impact | Compiling a database on venom toxicity |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Kenya Snakebite Study Group |
Organisation | Institute of Primate Research |
Country | Kenya |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | I established this new partnership, its structure and research remit |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided staff, some infrastructure and contact network |
Impact | Grant awarded from the Sir Halley Stewart Trust New NIHR grant application (multidisciplinary: diagnostics, epidemiology and smart phone app) decision pending |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | PHE Antivenom Advisory group |
Organisation | Public Health England |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Provide advise on antivenom supply |
Collaborator Contribution | PHE supplies UK hospitals with supplies of antivenom to treat envenoming by exotic snake species |
Impact | Improved provision of antivenom to treat bites by exotic snakes - both by animal species and time to access antivenom |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Scientific Research Partnership for Neglected Tropical Snakebite (SRPNTS) |
Organisation | International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) |
Country | Global |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Provision of snakebite (i) technical expertise, (ii) resources, (iii) international networks, (iv) access to snakebite victims, (v) access to animals for immunisation |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of human/humanised monoclonal antibody platforms |
Impact | No outputs yet |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Venom immunisation with Glucan particles to improve seroconversion |
Organisation | University of Massachusetts |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are trialling a different approach wherein immunisation is conducted with venom encapsulated within glucan particles specifically designed (US patent 7,740,861; Ostroff) for delivery of proteins to dendritic cells and other antigen presenting cells. This is in collaboration with Professor Gary Ostroff, Program in Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of glucan particles specifically designed (US patent 7,740,861; Ostroff) for delivery of proteins to dendritic cells and other antigen presenting cells. |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | WHO Snakebite Envenoming Working Group |
Organisation | World Health Organization (WHO) |
Department | Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases |
Country | Global |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | My activities over the past 5-8 years have significantly helped to change WHO's acceptance of the public health burden of tropical snakebite. I am chairing and lead writer of the 'Antivenom SubGroup' tasked with designing/devising the WHO's Road map to reduce the mortality and morbidity of tropical snakebite. I am in the core writing group of this new initiative. |
Collaborator Contribution | The WHO SBE will prove a major contribution to the eventual reduction of the mortality and morbidity of tropical snakebite. There are several key experts from diverse disciplines, organisations and coutries represented within the SBE-WG. |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2018 |
Title | VT Builder |
Description | Efficient assembly of complex transcriptomes, and designed for snake venom gland data |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | A number of groups (~6-8) in the snake venom field have expressed interest and been given access to the software. |
Description | Canadian medical association Journal news piece - Snakebite neglect rampant in Africa |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Contributed to Canadian medical association Journal news piece entitled: Snakebite neglect rampant in Africa |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with Liverpool Museum on Ssssnakes Aliver Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 200,000 museum visitors attended the exhibition - that included the message: snakebite is a disease of the rural poor in Africa and Asia Local newspaper, TV coverage. Numerous comments from parents of young children who visited the exhibition |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
Description | Contributions about the grant objectives to print media |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Contributions about the grant objectives to print media |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2015 |
Description | Documentary |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A 1 hour documentary entitled 'Minutes to Die' on the plight of rural tropical snakebite victims - a very powerful advocacy tool. Screened in USA (2), AFRICA (3), mainland Europe (3) Latin America (2) and UK (2). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018 |
URL | http://www.lstmed.ac.uk/research/centres-and-units/the-alistair-reid-venom-research-unit |
Description | Filming for BBC website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Promotion of the objectives of the grant |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30727879 |
Description | Filming for Reuters News agency |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Promotion of the project objectives |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.reuters.com/video/2015/04/02/deadly-snakes-milked-to-create-potent-ne?videoId=363714832 |
Description | Filming for the BBC News Global Health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | promotion of the MRC award and its objectives |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34176581 |
Description | Lancet Editorial |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Contributed to Lancet Editorial entitled: Snake bite-the neglected tropical disease |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Lillian Lincoln Documentary Film |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Lillian Lincoln Documentary Film - contributed to film content and structure, provided Kenyan location and contacts for filming, was filmed in Uk and Kenya |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
Description | Nature News |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Nature News article by QUIRIN SCHIERMEIER entitled: Africa braced for snakebite crisis Health specialists warn that stocks of antivenom will run out in 2016. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Nature News arcticle 2016 by CARRIE ARNOLD |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Nature News articel by Carrie arnold entitled: Synthetic biology tackles antivenom. Artificial antibodies could ease global snakebite burden. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Nature News arcticle by CARRIE ARNOLD |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Contributed to Nature News article - The snakebite fight Snakes kill tens of thousands of people each year. But experts can't agree on how best to overcome a desperate shortage of antivenom. BY CARRIE ARNOLD |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Snakebite is a disease of the rural poor - MRC research to improve snakebite treatment |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Several requests for additional information. Acquisition of interest from international health agencies - MSF, Health Action International More requests for media coverage on this topic |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015 |