Meet Tim Friede: The Man Who Let Deadly Snakes Bite Him to Help Science

Tim Friede, a former truck mechanic, has endured over 200 bites from some of the world’s deadliest snakes — all in the name of science. His goal? To help researchers develop a groundbreaking, universal anti-venom.

Over the past 25 years, Tim has injected himself more than 700 times with venom from snakes like mambas, cobras, and taipans. Through this extreme and risky process, he’s built up a unique resistance, and his blood is now rich in antibodies that could be key to saving lives from snakebites around the world.

Tim’s journey began in 1999, when he started extracting venom from snakes, diluting it, and injecting himself with tiny doses to train his immune system. His dedication has come at a cost — in 2001, he was bitten twice by cobras and slipped into a four-day coma.

Despite the dangers, his work caught the attention of scientists. Jacob Glanville, CEO of the U.S. biotech firm Centivax, reached out to Tim after discovering a YouTube video showcasing his unusual efforts.
Speaking about Tim, he said: “I thought if anybody had the secrets of universal anti-venom pumping through their veins, it would be this guy”

Tests revealed that Mr. Friede’s blood can resist venom from snakes—even ones that have never bitten him before.