Drugs from Non-Snake Venom
Lizard venom study yielded two approved synthetic analogs, exenatide and lixisenatide, which are used to regulate insulin secretion and suppress glucagon, thus helping to reduce body weight and regulate cardiovascular risk factors.~INSERT FROM ME THIS INCLUDES OZEMPIC, WEGOVY, AND TRULICITY ~
Leeches are the source of bivalirudin and desirudin, the first being synthetic and the second a recombinant molecule. Medicinal leeches are used to treat arthritis symptoms, microsurgery sites, infections and many other conditions.
Bee venom is also used in many different compounds to relieve pain in chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis.
Bombesin from toads (Bombina bombina), Huachansu (from chansu, the dried venom from the toad Bufo gargarizans), and Epibatidine from the Ecuadorian poison-dart frog Epipedobatus tricolor, are all being developed. They are being developed as anti-cancer drugs, and pain relievers more powerful than morphine.
Research Tools from Animal Venom
Several toxins are important research tools, the classic example being α-Bungarotoxin, isolated from Bungarus multicinctus. This is a very efficient and selective tool for the characterization of α7 and muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. So are α-Conotoxins, which can identify different subtypes of these receptors and the different binding sites within receptor molecules.
Drug development from animal venom is a costly, risky and often unprofitable venture, and many biotechnology firms established to explore this field have since shut down.
Cosmetic Therapies
Drugs like anti-wrinkle cosmetics based on bee venom, and Argiotoxine-based compounds meant to suppress skin tanning, are also profitable.
Conclusion
More research is necessary to understand and exploit even the compounds undergoing clinical trials to ensure their safety, minimize off-target reactions and reduce adverse effects. Despite the exhausting and cumbersome process, animal venom studies are warranted to help discover effective and selective new drug and research molecules.
Watchmen On The Pod 