Our mission
To significantly reduce deaths and disabilities from snakebite worldwide through accessible, effective treatments, aligned with the WHO goal to halve the global burden by 2030.
About us
Reimagining snakebite treatment
Reimagining snakebite treatment
for the communities who need it most
Antigenika is a University of Reading spin-out building an oral therapy designed to reach patients wherever a bite happens.
Mission
Supporting the WHO 2030 goal
The World Health Organisation aims to halve the global burden of snakebite envenoming by 2030. The burden falls hardest on communities in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Antigenika is developing a novel oral therapy to enable treatment immediately, wherever a bite occurs, improving outcomes worldwide.
Our vision
A world where snakebites no longer result in death or lifelong disability, where effective treatment reaches every community and every patient, regardless of where a bite happens.
Our story
Founded to address an unmet need
Antigenika brings together healthcare innovators, scientists and researchers united by a common goal: to address the fundamental limitations of traditional snakebite treatment. Despite decades of use, antivenom remains constrained by access, infrastructure requirements and limited effectiveness against certain aspects of venom-induced damage, leaving millions of patients without timely or adequate care. Originating from research at the University of Reading, we focus on oral, small-molecule therapeutics that can be used rapidly, outside of traditional clinical settings, and at scale across the regions most affected.
Research roots
Two decades of venom pharmacology and biochemistry at the University of Reading, led by scientists who became our founding team.
Translational focus
Built from day one around the realities of field deployment: heat-stability, oral administration and broad-spectrum coverage.
Global reach
A development path designed to launch in high-burden markets first, then scale globally through established regulatory pathways.
Team
Led by world-class experts
Decades of experience in venom research, pharmaceutical development and global health, grouped by the role each tier plays.
Founders
Prof. Sakthi Vaiyapuri
Founder & CSO
Internationally recognised expert in venom pharmacology and biochemistry. Lead scientist behind the oral combination therapy, driving scientific development and the clinical trial roadmap.
Dr Harry Williams
Founder & CEO
Biomedical researcher and entrepreneur in venom diagnostics, with C-suite expertise in business development, product design and translational research.
Leadership
Samir Abdel Wahab
Head of Translational Research
Specialist Pharmacist with expertise in emergency medicine, oncology, haematology and venom pharmacology research.
Frances Crewdson
COO
Senior healthcare executive with 25+ years in pharma and nutrition, leading business development and strategic alliances.
Andrew Stace
CCO
Two decades of international M&A and corporate finance, leading deal-making, partnerships and market entry.
Advisory
Roswitha Reisinger
Senior Legal Advisor
SVP General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Kyowa Kirin International, bringing senior legal, regulatory and governance expertise across the pharmaceutical sector.
Paul Carter
Chair of Advisory Board
Biopharma leader with nearly 30 years of global experience, including as EVP & Chief Commercial Officer at Gilead Sciences. Chairs Clinigen, Memo Therapeutics AG and Kyowa Kirin International PLC.
Talk to us
Partner, invest or collaborate
We work with partners, investors and press who share our ambition to end preventable deaths from snakebite.