Cancer cure in a spider bite

SPIDER venom could be the new weapon against superbugs and some forms of cancer. Kent company Venomtech houses 400 spiders, scorpions and snakes, including 70 varieties of tarantula, in its lab and is working with scientists at Canterbury Christ Church University to assess the potential use of venom in new drugs.

Early results show the poison can kill life-threatening bacteria such as E.coli and staphylococcus, and modify and destroy certain cancer cells. Insiders claim a healthcare product using jellyfish venom may be ready to market next year.