In a major breakthrough, scientists have developed the most broadly effective snake antivenom to date by using antibodies from a man who built immunity through self-injection of snake venoms over 18 years.

Published in the journal Cell, the antivenom protects against deadly snakes including the black mamba, king cobra, and tiger snakes in mouse trials. The therapy combines antibodies from the donor, Tim Friede, with a toxin-blocking drug, creating a powerful three-part formula that neutralized venom from 13 of 19 tested deadliest snake species.

Lead researcher Jacob Glanville of Centivax, Inc, said that this is the closest we’ve come to a universal snake antivenom.

The team now aims to extend their research to cover vipers, another major family of venomous snakes.