Venom composition of the Iberian adder (Vipera seoanei) from northern Portugal reveals limited sex and size variation

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  Venom composition of the Iberian adder (Vipera seoanei) from northern Portugal reveals limited sex and size variation Abstract Snake venom is a complex and dynamic ecological trait, with high potential for intraspecific variation. In this study, the venom composition of the Iberian adder ( Vipera seoanei ) from the Peneda Mountains of northern Portugal was investigated to explore whether venom varies with body size and sex. Venom proteomes from six individuals representing juvenile, subadult, and adult males and females were characterised using LC–MS/MS, while individual variation was assessed from SDS–PAGE profiles of 18 snakes. LC–MS/MS identified 144 proteins, dominated by phospholipases A 2 (PLA 2 ), snake venom serine proteases (svSP), and C-type lectin-related proteins (CTL). Descriptive comparisons revealed contrasting individual profiles, particularly between the juvenile male, characterised by high svSP and svMP abundance, and the juvenile female, characterised by high ...

Patentability of natural products from Venomous Organisms: A guide for life science researchers

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Patentability of natural products from Venomous Organisms: A guide for life science researchers

Abstract

This report is built on insights gathered during the European Venom Network (EUVEN) workshop on the patentability of natural compounds, with a particular focus on venom-derived molecules, held online on June 10, 2022. The program explored key aspects of Intellectual Property (IP) rights relevant to the development of therapeutic agents derived from natural sources, including animal venoms and toxins. Topics included IP considerations in biotechnology, strategies for building and managing IP portfolios, and licensing pathways from academic research to industry. The review further discusses the specific challenges and opportunities in patenting venom-based compounds, and outlines recommended practices for IP sharing within collaborative research consortia such as EUVEN. Finally, it incorporates perspectives from industry on fostering academic partnerships to advance the translational potential of venom-derived therapeutics. This document aims to serve as a practical guide for researchers at all career stages working in life sciences, particularly those engaged in the discovery and development of natural product-based innovations.
Ikonomopoulou, M. P., Anderluh, G., Coskun, S., Merello Luna, F., Modica, M. V., Procházka, J., Rivera-de-Torre, E., Tarallo, A., & Violette, A. (2025). Patentability of natural products from Venomous Organisms: A guide for life science researchers. Toxicon, 108927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108927