Tehran – The prestigious Iranian Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute has managed to develop a new seven-component antivenom that has already saved the lives of four people in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan bitten by the “Siahmar,” regarded as one of Iran’s most dangerous snakes.

 

Announcing the breakthrough, Ali Es-haqi, President of the Razi Institute, said the achievement followed reports of multiple fatalities in the region caused by Siahmar bites.

 

“Our scientists and specialists worked around the clock to design and produce a dedicated antivenom. By adding it to our existing formulations, we succeeded in developing a seven-valent (heptavalent) antivenom, now proven effective in critical cases,” he explained.

 

Es-haqi highlighted the work of the Institute’s venomous animals department, describing the new product as “a significant leap in enhancing community health and safety.”

 

He noted that producing a specific, highly effective antivenom within a short timeframe demonstrates both the scientific capacity and the national importance of the Institute’s mission.

 

Iran records around 80,000 snakebite cases annually, ranking second in the world. Of these, nearly 12,000 are considered high-risk. Without access to Razi’s locally developed antivenoms, the number of deaths and severe injuries would be far higher.