Snakes have bitten this man hundreds of times. His blood could help make a better treatment
ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN
AP Science Writer
Updated
1 of 3
This undated photo provided by Centivax in 2025 shows Tim Friede, who is hyper-immune to the venom of various snakes, with a water cobra wrapped around his arm
Centivax
In this photo provided by Centivax, Tim Friede, center, stands in a lab in South San Francisco, Calif., in 2023, that is using his blood to prepare an antivenom to the bites of various snakes.
Centivax
This photo provided by Centivax shows Mark Bellin and Hannah Hirou who are involved in efforts to produce an antivenom to counteract the bites of various snakes, at a lab in South San Francisco, Calif., in 2025.
NEW YORK — Tim Friede has been bitten by snakes hundreds of times — often on purpose. Now scientists are studying his blood in hopes of creating a better treatment for snake bites.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Build your health & fitness knowledge
Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!
Photographers from around the world capture the daily rituals of life.
This undated photo provided by Centivax in 2025 shows Tim Friede, who is hyper-immune to the venom of various snakes, with a water cobra wrapped around his arm
In this photo provided by Centivax, Tim Friede, center, stands in a lab in South San Francisco, Calif., in 2023, that is using his blood to prepare an antivenom to the bites of various snakes.
This photo provided by Centivax shows Mark Bellin and Hannah Hirou who are involved in efforts to produce an antivenom to counteract the bites of various snakes, at a lab in South San Francisco, Calif., in 2025.