Antivenoms and methods for making antivenoms

A method of producing venom-neutralizing antivenom, comprising:

• a) providing a plurality of immunogenic immunizing venoms;
• b) providing a plurality of purifying venoms selected from among said immunizing venoms;
• c) providing at least one host species
• d) immunizing said host species with a plurality of immunizing venoms, so that a first neutralizing polyvalent antivenom having two or more monovalent subpopulations is produced;
• and
• e) purifying said first polyvalent antivenom by contacting said first polyvalent antivenom sequentially or simultaneously with said purifying venoms, so that a purified second neutralizing polyvalent antivenom is produced wherein said second neutralizing polyvalent antivenom is comprised of immunoglobulin of which greater than fifty percent is venom reactive and purified such that greater than fifty percent of said monovalent subpopulations are recovered by weight.

A method of producing venom-neutralizing antivenom, comprising:

• a) providing a plurality of immunogenic immunizing venoms;
• b) providing purifying venoms consisting of fewer than all of the immunizing venoms;
• c) providing at least one host species;
• d) immunizing said host species with a plurality of immunizing venoms, so that a first polyvalent antivenom is produced;
• and
• e) purifying said first polyvalent antivenom using said purifying venoms, so that a purified second polyvalent antivenom is produced having substantially the same spectrum of reactivity as said first polyvalent antivenom.

A method of producing venom-neutralizing antivenom, comprising:

• a) providing C. durissus terrificus venom and at least one additional venom in an immunogenic mixture;
• b) providing at least one host species;
• c) immunizing said host species with said venom mixture, so that a first polyvalent antivenom having two or more monovalent subpopulations is produced;
• and
• d) purifying said first polyvalent antivenom, comprising contacting said first polyvalent antivenom with C. durissus terrificus venom, so that a purified second neutralizing polyvalent antivenom is produced wherein said second neutralizing polyvalent antivenom is comprised of immunoglobulin of which greater than fifty percent is venom reactive and purified such that greater than fifty percent of said monovalent subpopulations are recovered by weight.

A method of producing venom-neutralizing antivenom, comprising:

• a) providing one or more immunogenic immunizing venoms, each comprising one or more components responsible for toxicity;
• b) providing at least one avian species;
• c) reducing said toxicity of said components without rendering said one or more venoms non-immunogenic;
• d) immunizing said avian species with said one or more immunizing venoms, so that a neutralizing antivenom is produced in the eggs of said avian species;
• and
• e) isolating said antivenom from said eggs.