The VIPER Institute was established under the Arizona Board of Regents in 2007, based in the UA College of Medicine in formal affiliation with the College of Pharmacy’s Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center. VIPER’s mission is applied phylogenetics of venom: using clues from the genealogy of venomous animals toward discovery of new diagnostic and pharmaceutical tools and economically sustainable improvement in medical care of venom injury worldwide. The VIPER Institute strives to be a world leader in the combination of phylogenetic and drug-development resources across international boundaries, resulting in better, more cost-effective medical care for all.

Want to make a gift to VIPER?

Just click on our Donate to VIPER page.

Visit the VIPER Institute at the Tucson Festival of Books

Join us at the Tucson Festival of Books this weekend, March 10 and 11 from 9 am to 5:30 pm.  We'll be located in Science City in the Body-Brain Connection tent at the east end of the mall on the south side.  Learn how antivenom is made. See live scorpions, and get a free (temporary) scorpion tattoo! 

Free admission and parking.  Visit the festival website for more information.

Headline News:

Border-Crossing Research Lessens the Sting

After a 12-year combined effort, a team involving UA and Mexico scientists won approval recently from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an antivenom called Anascorp. It's the first antiscorpion drug proved effective under clinical trials, far more potent and much safer than previously used drugs. (more)

"Scorpion Envenomation and Its Treatment in Arizona" Symposium

Please join us on February 7, 2012 for the “Scorpion Envenomation and Its Treatment in Arizona” Symposium at the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix 600 E Van Buren Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Registration:  8 am
Conference:  9 am – 5 pm

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UA Research, Collaborative Efforts on Scorpion Antivenom Lead to FDA Approval First FDA approval for scorpion antivenom

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Anascorp®, an antivenom produced in Mexico and tested in clinical trials conducted through the University of Arizona, for use in treating patients suffering the effects of scorpion sting.

“This is an historic event,” says Leslie Boyer, MD, director of the UA’s VIPER (Venom Immunochemistry, Pharmacology and Emergency Response) Institute and lead investigator on the clinical trials. “This is the first-ever drug approved for this use by the FDA; the first-ever drug that we are aware of being developed fully in Latin America and subsequently approved by the FDA; the first-ever scorpion antivenom proved effective under controlled clinical trials; and the first-ever antivenom with so few allergic reactions.”

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Into the mind of ... Leslie Boyer

From: Arizona Republic, August 16, 2011
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APRUEBA LA FDA DE ESTADOS UNIDOS EL USO DE UN ANTIVENENO HECHO EN COLABORACIÓN CON LA UNAM

From: Boletín UNAM-DGCS-458
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FDA OKs Scorpion Antivenom Developed With UA Help

From: Arizona Public Media, August 9, 2011
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A tiny trial of 15 people helps convince the US to approve a drug that takes the pain out of scorpion stings

From: Nature Medicine, Aug. 5, 2011
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Scorpion Anti-Venom Is First to Be Approved by FDA

From: AP story in New York Times, Aug. 4, 2011
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FDA Approves Antivenom Produced In Mexico

From: Fronteras Desk, Aug. 4, 2011
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Horses Key to Making Antivenom Up for FDA Approval

From: Fronteras Desk, second of two-part story, Aug. 2, 2011
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Mexican Drug May Solve U.S. Antivenom Shortage

From: Fronteras Desk, first of two-part story, Aug. 1, 2011
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