Repurposing drugs for snakebite

We demonstrate the effectiveness of small molecule inhibitors in treating bites from Russell’s viper, responsible for nearly half of India’s snakebite cases.

We discovered that two repurposed drugs, Varespladib and Marimastat, which previously entered phase III clinical trials for other uses, can prevent the lethal effects of Russell’s vipers from across India.

Our findings suggest these drugs could be an effective alternative treatment for snakebites, reducing the impact of Russell’s viper across the Indian subcontinent.

In the Evolutionary Venomics Lab at the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, we study venomous animals and their venoms as model systems to explore fundamental questions in evolutionary biology and genetics. Utilising advanced technologies across multiple disciplines, we delve into the fascinating evolutionary histories of venomous animals and their venoms. Beyond studying venoms, we focus on developing novel solutions for snakebite, which affects hundreds of thousands of victims globally. Our goal is to develop an advanced antivenom that enhances the safety, specificity, and affordability of treatment.

Our core research themes include...