Repurposed small molecule toxin inhibitors neutralise a diversity of venoms from the Neotropical viperid snake genus Bothrops.

Repurposed small molecule toxin inhibitors demonstrate pan-species neutralisation against Bothrops venoms in laboratory assays, with marimastat and DMPS providing the strongest protection.

• Why it matters: Snakebite causes over 100,000 deaths annually and leaves many with permanent disabilities, yet current antivenom treatments are limited by efficacy, safety, and availability, especially in remote areas. Developing early, accessible treatments could significantly improve outcomes and reduce morbidity.
• What they did: Clare et al. evaluated seven drugs, including varespladib, marimastat, DMPS, and nafamostat, through enzymatic and phenotypic assays against venoms from seven Bothrops species, assessing their ability to inhibit toxin activity, blood clotting issues, and hemorrhage.
• The result: The study found that drugs targeting metalloproteinases and phospholipases consistently neutralised venoms across all species tested, suggesting repurposed drugs could serve as effective early interventions for Bothrops envenoming in Latin America.