VenomVet™ is a polyvalent antivenin using the venoms from various snake species to create a proprietary antivenin effective against all varieties of United States rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins (Crotalids). Because of its polyvalent character, it is effective in immunological cross neutralization.
Venoms used in the production of VenomVet™ include Bothrops asper, Bothrops alternatus, Bothrups diporus, Crotalus durissus terrificus, Crotalus simus (Crotalus durissus durissus), and Lachesis muta. All venoms are obtained from certified suppliers.
VenomVet™ went through a multiyear review process under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) which is the only federal agency that can approve the use of antivenin by veterinarians. Clinical trials involving numerous veterinary emergency clinics across three geographical regions of the United States, including the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine, were conducted in accordance with Clinical Trial Protocols approved by the USDA. After meeting all USDA requirements for safety and efficacy, VenomVet™ was issued a sale and distribution permit in April 2014 by the USDA (U.S. Permit No. 444A).
VenomVet™ is produced by a modern laboratory exercising good manufacturing practices. The laboratory has been inspected and approved by the USDA for the production of VenomVet™.
The VenomVet™ Production Process was also reviewed and approved by the USDA as part of the licensure requirements.
VenomVet™ undergoes a rigorous set of physiochemical and biological analysis to insure the correct purity and potency for a safe and effective antivenin.
The only other USDA licensed product (old Ft. Dodge product sold now by BI) was approved for use by veterinarians in approximately 1947. VenomVet™ is new technology: it is composed of divalent F(ab’)2 fragments that have two binding sites per molecule that form multimolecular immune complexes with the toxin allowing it to bind more of the venom therefore neutralizing more molecules of toxin per molecule of fragments.
VenomVet™ has a molecular mass of approximately 100 kDa and is not eliminated by the renal route and therefore has a prolonged half-life in the patient of between 2 and 4 days versus a Fab product that has a short half-life elimination of between 4 and 24 hours. The pharmacokinetic profile of VenomVet™ makes it extremely effective and efficient in reversing the effects of snakebite envenomation.
Because VenomVet™ eliminates the Fc fragment of the nonbinding portion of IgG, it has very low early adverse reactions (ERR’s) and these low reactions are not severe and no reported cases of late adverse reactions (LAR’s) were reported during the Clinical Trials. Removal of the Fc fragment reduces activation of the complement and anti-immunoglobulin responses associated with Fc fragment.
VenomVet™ has no reported cases of envenomation recurrence.
VenomVet™ addresses the hemotoxic, neurotoxic and myotoxic effects of venom.
Each vial of VenomVet™ contains 0.25% Phenol to prevent microbial contamination.
VenomVet™ comes in liquid form and is ready to use without the requirement of mixing as is the case with all other antivenins in the market.
VenomVet™ has a three (3) year shelf life from the date of production.
VenomVet™ is currently offered to veterinarians from every major distributor in the United States.
