Could AI Help Create One Antivenom For Multiple Snakebites? IISc Researchers Explore

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, is using artificial intelligence to pursue broadly neutralising antivenoms that could treat bites from several snake species.

The research could address a major public health challenge that claims tens of thousands of lives in India each year.

IISc estimates that snakebites cause around 58,000 deaths annually in the country.

Researchers said India’s vast diversity of snake venoms makes antivenom development particularly complex. AI can help analyse large datasets at greater speed and scale.

The Evolutionary Venomics Lab (EVL) at IISc’s Centre for Ecological Sciences is using Claude through Anthropic’s AI for Science programme.

The system helps researchers annotate intricate venom datasets and identify common toxin targets.

The researchers aim to create antivenoms that work against bites from different snake species. Such treatments could reduce the need for hospitals to maintain extensive stocks of species-specific antivenoms.

IISc said the convergence of AI, evolutionary biology and translational science could support the next generation of snakebite therapies.

EVL has advanced antivenom research in recent years. It developed a synthetic antivenom in 2024 and created ‘venom maps’ in 2025. These maps use local climatic conditions to predict venom characteristics of the Russell’s Viper, a deadly snake found across India.

Researchers describe it as arguably the world’s most clinically significant snake, causing more deaths and injuries than any other snake species.

The maps could help clinicians identify suitable treatments.

Researchers stressed the need to understand venom composition, activity and potency, along with biological and environmental influences. They found that venom enzymes are affected by factors such as climate and prey availability.

The maps, for the first time, highlight how temperature, humidity and rainfall influence the biochemical functions of Russell’s Viper venom.

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