Often times, when I tell people that I work for a biotech company developing a treatment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using cobra venom, I receive the strangest feedback.

I agree that at first-glance cobras may seem an unlikely source for treating anything, but when one digs deeper, it become apparent that snakes may hold the key to important medical therapies.

Some of the earliest recorded medicinal uses for snakes originated in China during the 1st century AD. At this time, the Chinese began using snake skin for treating hemorrhoids, eye infections, and sore throats.

It wasn’t until the 19th century, when many Chinese immigrated to the United States to work on railroads, that Western Society was first introduced to the concept of using snakes in medicine. While constructing the railroads across the American west, Chinese laborers would use oil from snakes to treat painful joints after a hard days work.

(As a side note, this is where the term “snake oil” originated. When word spread about the effectiveness of using oil from snakes as a remedy for pain, businesspeople began selling ineffective “miracle” drugs termed “snake oil”, even though these were not created using snakes.)

In the 1940s, the Chinese yet again uncovered a new medicinal use for snakes. This time it was to treat the symptoms of post-polio syndrome. Traditional Chinese medicine men would concoct snake venom cocktails, usually derived from a variety of Asian cobra species, for patients to consume.

By the 1950s, news had traveled to the United States about the successful use of cobra venom for treating post-polio syndrome. At the same time, a famous baseball player named of Lou Gehrig had just been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Because of ALS’ similarities to post-polio syndrome, Dr. Murray Sanders, who was later nominated for the Nobel Prize in medicine, began studying cobra venom in the United States and its effect on patients suffering from ALS. In 1978, his research was highlighted on the CBS Evening News, where he, and an ALS patient participating in his study, discussed the success of the new cobra venom therapy.

Due to the high cost of bringing a drug through the FDA approval process, Dr. Sanders’ treatment never gained approval to be marketed. In 2001, our wholly-owned drug discovery subsidiary, ReceptoPharm, acquired the clinical data used in Sanders’ research.

Today, we have expanded the investigation not only to include ALS, but also Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), as well as several other neurological and autoimmune disorders. As we successfully complete our Phase IIb/IIIa study for the treatment of AMN, we hope to gain additional knowledge about cobra venom to further develop new and effective medical treatments.

SEC Disclaimer
This article contains forward-looking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected in Nutra Pharma's ("the Company") business plan. The Company's business is subject to various risks, which are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The above article, " The Historical Use of Snakes in Medicine and Why We’re Studying Cobra Venom as a Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis and other Disorders", should not be construed as an indication in any way whatsoever of: (a) the Company’s financial value; and/or (b) any predictive value of the Company’s future stock price. The Company's filings may be accessed at the SEC's Edgar system at www.sec.gov. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. The Company cautions readers not to place reliance on such statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.

               

1 Comment

I have a chronic pain disorder called reflex sympathetic dystrophy also called crps type 2. rsd cause the affected nerves to only recognize and transmit the pain signal. I am in my 15th year and the only things that help are a intrathecal morphine pump and transmucosal fentanyl. Eventually these will not help anymore for me and the millions of us out there. Has cobra venom been shown to be effective for nuerological chronic pain disorders? Has it been tested as a treatment for them? There are many of us running out of time and hope.
if info is needed on rsd please go to website listed above. It is the most precise one around.
J. Kornhaber

Comment by Jennifer Kornhaber — July 25, 2009 @ 10:48 pm

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