A first-response pill for snakebite, currently undergoing trials at two government hospitals in Kolkata as part of an international study, has shown promising results, potentially extending the critical ‘golden hour’ for treatment to five hours. This breakthrough could save thousands of lives each year across India.
In emergency medicine, the ‘golden hour’ is the crucial period immediately following a traumatic injury when timely medical intervention is most effective in preventing death. Currently, snakebite victims need to receive antivenom within four hours, or even sooner (within one hour) for bites from highly venomous snakes. Delays in treatment, especially in areas lacking facilities for antivenom storage, contribute significantly to the high rate of snakebite fatalities in India.
As reported by Times of India, the trial in Kolkata is being conducted at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMC) and NRS Medical College and Hospital. The pill’s main component, varespladib, is a synthetic molecule that inhibits toxins and extends the time available for effective treatment, as highlighted in a recent British Medical Journal (BMJ) article.
“When patients were given the pill shortly after the bite, those treated within five hours showed promising results,” said Snehendu Konar, clinical trial facilitator for the project in Bengal. “Many district hospitals lack refrigeration for antivenom, but tablets can be administered without specialized storage or personnel, making this treatment more accessible. If varespladib proves safe and effective, it could be a game-changer for snakebite patients, especially those in transit to hospitals.”
The CNMC trial, completed last year, tested the pill on 13 snakebite patients, all of whom survived. Dr. P. P. Mukherjee, the principal investigator, emphasized the challenge of transporting snakebite victims to hospitals quickly enough, often resulting in lost critical time. During the trial, patients first received the pill, followed by the antivenom injection, with all cases resulting in survival.
The ongoing trial at NRS, which began in March, is also testing an injectable form of the drug alongside the pill to assess the safety and tolerability of varespladib when combined with standard antivenom therapy. Dr. Badal Kumar Sahu, principal investigator at NRS, said that if the trial succeeds, this approach could improve survival rates for venomous snakebites across the state.
So far, the pill has been tested on 72 patients across India, with further trials planned to confirm its efficacy and safety.