Scientists in Australia are preparing to initiate a clinical trial for a heart attack medication that originates from the venom of the K’gari funnel web spider. Despite the existence of various drugs to prevent or treat heart diseases, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, underscoring the need for new treatments to protect heart health. Researchers at the University of Queensland, along with other institutions, have identified a promising candidate in the form of Hi1a, a protein derived from the venom of a funnel spider species indigenous to K’gari Island in Australia.
Although these spiders possess some of the most lethal and complex venoms found in spiders, only a few of the 3,000 proteins are considered harmful to humans. Notably, proteins like Hi1a might offer useful medical applications. Earlier animal studies conducted by the research team indicated that Hi1a could protect the heart when it is deprived of oxygen during a heart attack. It seems to function by inhibiting signals that lead heart cells to undergo self-destruction in the absence of oxygen. This same property could potentially enhance the viability of donor hearts during organ retrieval processes.
The researchers have secured significant funding from the Australian government’s Medical Research Future Fund and are set to commence a clinical trial on Hi1a for heart attacks and heart donation. This trial is projected to span over four years. Glenn King, a researcher at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, stated that the funding would enable the team to conduct human clinical trials to test a refined version of Hi1a as a treatment for heart attacks and to protect donor hearts during retrieval processes. Success in these trials could lead to improved patient survival rates, enhanced quality of life, a larger pool of donor hearts for transplantation, and reduced healthcare costs.
Many potential drug candidates fail in human trials due to inefficacies or safety issues that do not align with prior studies. As such, it remains to be seen whether Hi1a will prove effective. Nonetheless, researchers remain optimistic about developing treatments from animal venom, a field known as venomics. For instance, scientists in Brazil recently initiated a Phase II human trial to evaluate a spider venom-derived drug for erectile dysfunction. Meanwhile, King and his team are hoping Hi1a could also be effective in treating strokes and certain forms of epilepsy.
While spider venom may not bestow superpowers, it could serve as a vital source of innovative and significant medicines.
