Danny Chou

Many people know that semaglutide, the weight-loss drug, was inspired by Gila monster venom. (The reptiles' venom has a peptide, called Exendin-4, that stimulates insulin secretion & was adapted into a GLP-1 receptor agonist, called Byetta, for type II diabetes.) But there are many other cases of venoms being converted into useful medicines. Here are others you may find interesting: 1. Botox comes from a bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, and originally evolved as a bacterial neurotoxin and defense mechanism. The molecule blocks acetylcholine release, paralyzing muscles; but in tightly controlled doses it can also treat muscle spasms, migraines, and wrinkles. 2. Ziconotide, from the cone snail Conus magnus, is a cyclic peptide toxin that blocks calcium channels in nerve cells. Cone snails use it to attack and paralyze their prey before eating them. But now it's FDA-approved as a non-opioid pain killer. 3. Tirofiban and Eptifibatide are peptides that come from snake venoms. Tirofiban mimics a peptide from the saw-scaled viper. Eptifibatide comes from pygmy rattlesnake venom. Both drugs prevent platelets from sticking together, stopping blood clots. Now they’re used to treat heart attacks. And then there are a bunch of toxin-derived medicines that seem promising, but don't have FDA approval: 1. Alpha amanitin is from death cap mushrooms. It shuts down a cell’s protein production by blocking RNA polymerase II. Researchers want to attach it to antibodies to guide it toward pancreatic cancer cells. But it's still in preclinical trials. 2. Cobratoxin, from Thai cobra venom, binds nerve cell receptors to paralyze prey. In China, doctors use it as a painkiller. But it has some serious side effects. 3. Anfibatide, from sharp-nosed viper venom, slows blood clotting. It just completed Phase IIb clinical trials. 4. Mini-Ins is basically a fast-acting insulin that comes from a venomous cone snail. In preclinical trials, it causes quick drops in blood sugar. But it's still in early research and hasn't yet been tested in humans. All of these examples come from our latest article in @AsimovPress... you should sign up and join us!