History of scorpion antivenom: One Arizonan's view

► The use of antibodies as antitoxins against infectious and venomous agents developed over a century ago. ► War, the Great Depression, and international politics all influenced the course of antivenom development. ► In Arizona lack of antivenom resulted in smuggling and research, conducted by passionate individuals who ignored US FDA requirements. ► Formal clinical trials and US marketing approval of scorpion antivenom occurred 107 years after the first human testing of the concept. ► Commercial success of antivenom appears to depend more on social, economic and political factors than on potency, specificity, and purity.