ADDovenom: Novel Snakebite Therapy Platform of Unparalleled Efficacy, Safety and Affordabillity
About ADDovenom
Snakebites can be life-threatening when venom toxins are injected and enter the bloodstream. In areas where immediate access to specialised medical care is limited, bites by venomous snakes cause many thousands of deaths each year.
The EU-funded ADDovenom Project will use an innovative platform enabling generation of new snakebite treatment, based on a new disruptive protein-based nanoscaffold called ADDomer© – a megadalton- sized, thermostable synthetic virus-like particle with 60 high-affinity binding sites to neutralise and eliminate venom toxins from the bloodstream.
ADDovenom combines pioneering proteomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics focusing on snake toxins provoking the most challenging syndromes like haemorrhage and paralysis. The aim is to develop first-in-class neutralising superbinders for snakebite therapy of unprecedented efficacy against the most prevalent Sub-Saharan snakes.

ADDomer©: Synthetic multiepitope display scaffold for next generation vaccines.
Research
The project comprises several technological challenges (rational design of new antigens as consensus toxins/epitope strings, design of an ADDobody library) and high-risk
research (in vitro selection of new binders from a novel protein scaffold).
Mass
spectrometry
and
bioinformatics
to analyse venoms
In vitro
evolution
and
characterization
of
ADDobody binders
Examination of neutralizing ability of selected ADDobodies
and gigabodies
Scalable bioprocess
for
gigabody production
bullets
Latest News
‘The Scientist’ interviews ADDovenom Project Co-ordinator
Prof Christiane Berger Schaffitzel has been interviewed by The Scientist about research on the composition of snake venom. The article (How Climate Influences a Deadly Snake’s Venom Chemistry) focuses on new
iPaper visits LSTM’s Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions
The iPaper’s Science Writer, Clare Wilson, has visited the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine’s Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions and spoken with Prof Nick Casewell about both new antivenom
Prof Nicholas Casewell shortlisted for Blavatnik Award
Prof Nicholas Casewell, Director of the Centre for Snakebite Research & Interventions at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), has been named as a finalist in the Blavatnik Awards for Young
Researcher spotlight: Iara Cardoso
For our Researcher Spotlight features, we interview members of the ADDovenom research team, to find out about their interests, their contributions to the project, and their hopes for the future
Researcher spotlight: Camille Abada
For our Researcher Spotlight features, we interview members of the ADDovenom research team, to find out about their interests, their contributions to the project, and their hopes for the future
iBET CEO elected to Portuguese Academy of Engineering
Prof Paula Alves, CEO of ADDovenom partner iBET, has been elected as a member of the Portuguese Academy of Engineering, recognizing her exceptional contributions to engineering and science. Founded in
iBET CEO Paula Alves honoured with APIFARMA award
iBET CEO Paula Alves was one of three health sector professionals recognised with a Merit Personality Award at APIFARMA’s 85th Anniversary event. iBET reports: “Paula Alves was honored for her
Axel de Monts wins poster prize at SFET 2024
Congratulations to ADDovenom researcher Axel de Monts (University of Liège), who won the Best Poster Presentation Award at the 30th Meeting on Toxinology of the French Society of Toxinology (SFET),
PhD viva success for Sophie Hall
Congratulations to ADDovenom researcher Sophie Hall, a member of the Berger-Schaffitzel Lab at University of Bristol, who successfully defended her PhD and passed her viva in November 2024. Her research
Experts

Christiane Berger-Schaffitzel
University of Bristol
~Project Coordinator~

Imre Berger
University of Bristol

Loïc Quinton
University of Liège

Renaud Vincentelli
Aix-Marseille University

Nicholas Casewell
Liverpool School of
Tropical Medicine

Robert Harrison
Liverpool School of
Tropical Medicine

Paula Alves
iBET

Antonio Roldão
iBET