This poisonous little toad secretes a venom-laced sweat when provoked, but certain proteins in that toxic perspiration may help to heal wounds. The peptides promote blood vessel growth, says professor Christopher Shaw of the Queen’s University at Belfast School of Pharmacy who is studying the toad. A drug using this toxin could minimize the growth of scar tissue by speeding up the healing process. The potential drug is less than a year away from entering human trials and has already been patented in China and the U.S.