The Government of Pakistan has contributed substantial funding to expand the local production of antivenom against native snake species. Recently a new cGMP compliant manufacturing plant has been established at NIH to for capacity enhancement of anti-snake venom & other sterile biological products.
The Manufacturing Laboratory:
The new Sera processing Laboratory is well equipped with latest machinery and equipment as per international requirements and standards. The project is now functional for manufacturing of anti- snake venom serum and other sterile products as per country’s requirements. (Picture gallery)
The Technical team:
Team Sera is always on the front line for beating snakebite envenomation and is driven by one promise “To save and improve lives of snakebite-affected communities of Pakistan”. Our team includes the highly technical staff including Microbiologists, Biological and Veterinary scientists, Engineers and other skilled support staff who are trained to handle venomous snakes, and are involved in different stages of manufacturing. (Picture gallery)
Our Products:
- Poly-valent anti-snake venom serum (Poly-ASVS) against medically important most prevalent venomous snake species (Cobras, Russel Viper, Kraits, Echis)
- Anti-Rabies serum ARS (Equine origin).
- Anti-Tetanus serum & Anti diphtheria serum (will be available soon).
Research and Development:
Sera lab has been involved in supporting and encouraging students from various universities of Pakistan to collaborate in research related to snake venomics and antivenomic. Many students of BS, MS & PhD from Quaid-i Azam university, International Islamic University and Fatima Jinnah Women University have completed their research in Sera R & D lab.
We are in search of international collaborations and support to strengthen local Anti-sera production at NIH and global coalition to integrate more effective prevention, treatment and management strategies for controlling of snakebite envenomation.
Our future vision
“A world protected from morbidity and mortality associated with Snakebite envenomation”
To achieve this the access, we are focusing to: -
- Empower and engage communities by various snakebite awareness initiatives.
- Continual improvements to manufacture safe and effective quality products and capacity enhancement.
- Ensure antivenom availability by improved distribution mechanisms.
- Increase partnerships, coordination and resources to strengthen local health systems.