SYDNEY, March 6 (UPI) -- Australian researchers say a blood-clotting protein in taipan venom may help stop excessive bleeding during vascular surgery and major trauma.
The genetic code for the toxin, Factor Ten, was identified by researcher Liam St. Pierre of Queensland University of Technology, who studied the venom of eight of Australia's deadliest land snakes for their therapeutic potential.
A drug lead based on Factor X is being evaluated for clinical trials by bio pharmaceutical development company QRxPharma.
"Australian snakes literally have a two-pronged attack when they bite their prey," said St. Pierre. "Firstly, venom injection causes massive blood clots instantaneously followed by paralysis as a result of neurotoxins which eventually immobilize and kill the victim."
St. Pierre said snake venom was a huge untapped source of potential drug therapies.
