The antivenom is an antidote for the bite of the Nigerian Carpet Viper, which is one of the deadliest snakes in the world, with over 1,000 victims annually.

Based at the Reproductive Physiology Lab at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, MicroPharm was set up three years ago by Professor John Landon and specialises in raising polyclonal antibodies and also immunogen preparation and antibody purification.  The company employs 20 people and has two sites in West Wales.

Dr David Smith, speaking for MicroPharm, said: "We choose Ditone for its reputation and the fact it manufactures pharmaceutical labels under the Codes of Practice.  The Company helped us with the vial and box labels for the antidote.  The labels carry vital information including the batch and expiry date.  Ditone impressed us with its attention to fine detail, reliability and service."

John Haworth, Ditone's Area Sales Manager, added: "This has been an unusual order - even for Ditone!  While we produce a large number of this type of label, it is the first for an anti-snakebite venom.  We have a wide product portfolio and customers can be confident when working with us that all their label regulations can be met."

Ditone has wide expertise across many industry sectors and has brought to market a variety of innovative products including Peel & Reveal labels, the Extensia range of leaflet labels and Braille labels.

There are dedicated departments for R & D, technical applications, label construction techniques and adhesive technology.  The Company has a broad variety of print process incorporating Flexographic, UV Flexographic, Letterpress, Semi Rotary Letterpress, In-line Screen, Foil Blocking and Variable Printing.  Ditone also has the capability for short and long run requirements.

Based in Cambridgeshire, Ditone is a division of the £50m turnover Boxes Group.  The Group consists of seven specialist companies and majors on product presentation in a wide range of fields, from innovative luxury cartons for food manufacturers to specialist cartons for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

The business operates from five sites throughout the UK and has two companies in The Netherlands.  The Boxes Group is part of Clondalkin, the international group of companies producing specialist packaging and printing products.