Tehran – Iran’s prestigious Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute (RVSRI) launched an international conference titled “Venomous Animals & Antivenoms: Bridging Sciences, Innovation & Global Health,” to address the critical challenges posed by venomous animals and the development of life-saving antivenoms.

The international event was held in Tehran on Monday, convening leading experts in toxicology, medicine, and public health from around the globe.

Dr. Nevin Wilson, representing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), addressed the opening ceremony and emphasized the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to combat the threats from venomous animals and advance antivenom development.  

Dr. Syed Jafar Hussain, WHO Country Representative to Iran, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the vital role of global collaboration in improving healthcare outcomes.  

Dr. Rainak Ghaderi, Head of Academic Relations and International Affairs at RVSRI, welcomed participants on behalf of Dr. Ali Es-haghi, RVSRI’s Director General, and encouraged productive dialogue and collaboration.

A distinguished panel of speakers shared their expertise. Dr. Davis J. Williams, Technical Officer in the Regulation and Prequalification Department at WHO, presented on “WHO Risk-Benefit Assessment of Antivenoms and Measures to Strengthen Regulation and GMP Compliance,” stressing the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for safe, effective, and accessible antivenoms.

Prof. José María Gutiérrez, Senior Professor at the Clodomiro Picado Institute in Costa Rica, delivered a compelling presentation, “Snakebite Envenoming from a Holistic and Trans-Disciplinary Perspective.” He highlighted the complex nature of snakebite incidents and advocated for an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to developing comprehensive solutions.

Dr. David A. Warrell, Emeritus Professor of Tropical Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, addressed “The Imperative of Clinical Trials of Antivenoms and Other Treatments of Envenoming.”  He urged accelerated efforts in conducting rigorous clinical trials to establish effective treatment protocols for snakebites, a persistent public health problem in many regions.

The conference fostered interactive discussions through live Q&A sessions, enabling a dynamic exchange of ideas and reinforcing the shared commitment to advancing the field.

Participants from Latin America, Central Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond, representing countries including Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Pakistan, Oman, Iraq, Palestine, Thailand, Turkey, Kuwait, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, Spain, and Switzerland, demonstrated the global reach of the event.