India, June 8 -- Thanks to a man who allowed himself to be bitten by his pet snakes, scientists have developed the first broad-spectrum antivenom that neutralizes the neurotoxins in 19 of the world's deadliest snakes.

Peter Kwong, the Richard J. Stock Professor of Medical Sciences at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, co-led the research, which was reported in the journal Cell.

Two antibodies found in the man's blood provided the basis for the antivenom cocktail that provides complete protection against most of the 19 species in the elapid family of snakes considered of greatest medical concern by the World Health Organization.

The need for better antivenoms for snake bites is vital. Snake venom kills more ...