Single treatment protects against 17 of 18 deadly snake species

A new antivenom works against the venoms of 17 out of 18 African elapid snake species, including cobras, mambas and rinkhals, in animal studies – pointing towards a future in which knowing exactly which type of snake delivered the bite may no longer be essential. This could prove crucial in regions where thousands of people die each year because the correct antivenom is not available. But a researcher warns that the road from the laboratory to patients may be long.