VenomShield
Antivenom delivery device for in the field
Our Mission
VenomShield Biotech
Innovating life-saving solutions for venomous bites and stings. Our microneedle patch delivers fast, effective antivenom treatment, designed for use in remote and critical situations. We’re designing a groundbreaking microneedle patch to deliver 250 mg of antivenom in just 1–30 minutes, aiming to transform emergency care for venomous bites and stings. Envisioned to be developed to achieve a 75–85% venom neutralization rate.
Quick Facts
Venomous creature encounters cause lasting fear, particularly in rural areas. In Australia, funnel-web spider bites, though rare since 1981, create widespread arachnophobia, with 1 in 10 Australians fearing spiders despite low risk (2 deaths/year from all venomous creatures). In the Philippines, box jellyfish stings deter coastal tourism, impacting local economies (e.g., $1B+ global tourism loss from venom-related fears, per prior analysis). Survivors often develop PTSD-like symptoms, avoiding outdoor activities, though specific studies on venom-related trauma are limited.
Snakebites affect an estimated 4.5–5.4 million people annually worldwide, with 1.8–2.7 million cases of envenoming. This leads to approximately 81,000–138,000 deaths each year and around 400,000 permanent disabilities, such as amputations, severe scarring, or kidney damage. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that snakebites are a neglected tropical disease, disproportionately impacting rural, agricultural communities in tropical and subtropical regions, where access to healthcare and antivenom is often limited.
Venomous creatures influence cultural practices, often delaying effective treatment. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 68% of Kenyan victims and 49.7% of Mali victims seek traditional healers for scorpion stings, using herbal remedies or rituals, which can delay antivenom administration and increase disability risk (e.g., paralysis, chronic pain).