University of Queensland scientist wins PM’s Science Innovation Prize using funnel-web spider venom to treat heart attacks, strokes

A Brisbane company will begin clinical trials next year, but they believe a venom molecule could reduce the number of lives lost to hearts attacks and strokes, and improve survivors’ quality of life.

Deadly funnel-web spiders’ venom could be used to limit the damage on a person’s brain and heart when they suffer a heart attack or stroke, a Queensland researcher has found.

Trials will begin next year, but the man behind the breakthrough believes venom molecules could be the difference between life and death, and improve a survivor’s quality of life.

Professor Glenn King, from the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, has been researching spider venom for more than 25 years for various uses.

He started as a cancer biologist trying to understand how proteins cause cancer, before moving into spider venom and using it to create a new range of insecticides.

Professor King delved into the medical potential of venom molecules and made incredible discoveries with the IB001 molecule in funnel-web spider venom from K’gari (Fraser Island).

The IB001 molecule could be administered by first responders rather than only at hospital, broadening the potential positive impacts for patients no matter where they are.

“When we have a stroke, there is no oxygen getting to that part of the brain,” he said.

“But the brain is also producing a lot of lactic acid that it can’t clear, so it builds up and the brain becomes acidic and neurons commit suicide.

“These molecules can block that suicide signal and save neurons in the patient’s brain.

“We believe we can administer the molecule eight hours after the stroke and spare up to two-thirds of the brain damage that could have occurred.

Professor Glenn King

“The heart is the other organ that is really sensitive to a lack of oxygen, but we found the venom molecule protected the heart after a heart attack.”

Professor King said the venom molecule also had potential to protect a heart during a transplant procedure and increase the number of hearts that make it into their recipient body.

“The issue is that we don’t have a single drug that will protect the heart during a heart attack or the brain during a stroke, they are at mercy of whatever happens,” he said.

“We’re aiming to protect the heart and brain and hopefully save a lot of people, but also ensure those who survive a heart attack or stroke have a much better quality of life.”

On Monday night, Professor King was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Innovation, which comes with $250,000 prize money, at a special ceremony in Canberra.

“The most important thing is the recognition, knowing the Prime Minister and Science Minister recognise what we are doing and want to support it,” he said.

“Hopefully we can inspire younger scientists to take these risks. You don’t always succeed, but we need more people to take these risks.”

Professor King co-founded a Brisbane-based company, Infensa Bioscience, which will run the clinical trials next year investigating the benefits of the snake venom molecule for heart attack and heart transplant patients.